China to Share COVID-19 Vaccines Globally

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BEIJING, Dec. 4 (CGTN) - China, once again, vowed to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public product, quoting the concept of "community with a shared future for mankind" raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China is speeding phase III clinical trials of current vaccines, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday as Xi's special envoy at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will actively offer the vaccines to the developing countries, he said via video link.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the country has five vaccines currently undergoing phase III clinical trials "in an orderly manner."

Specifically, Wang called for increasing help and assistance to developing countries.

All parties should provide more humanitarian assistance to vulnerable groups, and increase investment in capacity building in such fields as public health, food security, Wang said, while calling on the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and others to provide more financial incentives to alleviate pressure on developing countries.

The Chinese official called on all parties to act decisively to curb the spread of the pandemic, leverage the support of science and technology to strengthen the collective response around the world, and therefore stop the cross-border spread of the virus.

All parties should respect and protect every life and treat every patient with utmost efforts, Wang said, adding that vaccines should be a global public good, accessible and affordable for developing countries.

He urged all parities to enhance solidarity and cooperation, stressing that major countries should play an exemplary role in promoting collaboration, which is the right way forward.

Public health security should be made a priority on the international agenda, accompanied by efforts to improve the governance system for public health security, Wang said, adding that it is also necessary to support the World Health Organization so that it can play a critical leadership role.