Chinese President Calls For Mutual Recognition Of COVID Vaccines

Picture courtesy Xinhua

Rome: Chinese President Xi Jinping made a fervent plea to the rest of the world on Saturday, calling for mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccines based on the emergency use listing of World Health Organisation (WHO).

Xi, speaking at the G20 Summit via a video link, proposed setting up of a global vaccine cooperation and suggested encouraging vaccine companies to transfer technology to developing countries.

“Treat all kinds of vaccines fairly, and promote mutual recognition of vaccines based on the World Health Organization’s vaccine emergency use list,” state media Xinhua quoted the Chinese president as saying.

He pointed out that China has till date provided over 1.6 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 100 countries and international organizations, and is working with 16 countries for joint vaccine production.

“China is willing to work with all parties to improve accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries and make positive contributions in building a global vaccine defence line,” Xi added.

Two Chinese COVID vaccines — one by Sinovac Biotech and another from Sinopharm — have received WHO’s approval.

China has so far administered COVID jabs to about 1.07 billion of its 1.41 billion population.