CHINA: China has completed dispatching COVID-19 vaccines and syringes to 66 countries and one international organization as of Sunday amid efforts to provide vaccine aid and strengthen international cooperation, according to the commerce ministry.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC), along with relevant government bodies, will ensure that vaccines could be delivered to recipient countries as soon as possible, said Qian Chunying, an official with the ministry, on Monday.
China is organizing and carrying out vaccine aid work for 88 countries and four international organizations, Qian said
The official said China encourages its four manufacturers of vaccine products that have been conditionally qualified in the domestic market to actively expand their exports.
“In order to ensure the quality and safety of vaccine products, the government supports Sinopharm, Sinovac and Tianjin-based CanSino Biologics Inc to export independently,” said Li, adding China welcomes countries and international organizations in need to directly negotiate and cooperate with these companies.
As defeating COVID-19 is the top priority for many countries, Qian Chunying, an official at the ministry’s department of outward investment and economic cooperation, said apart from exporting vaccines to countries such as Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Cambodia and Philippines, China has efficiently organized and implemented vaccine aid programmes to 88 countries and four international organizations.
Supported by cold-chain transportation services, Qian said that, as of Sunday, China had shipped vaccines and syringes to 66 countries and one international organization as part of its vaccines aid work.
China exported $13.96 billion pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, in the first four months of this year, soaring by 129.5 percent on a yearly basis, data from the General Administration of Customs showed. - XINHUA
