China: I hope that relevant countries and international organizations will work with China to bridge the global "immunization gap"

The Paper's senior reporter Yu Xiaoqing and reporter Su Yangfan

On January 19, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked a question, according to reports, the United Nations Secretary-General Guterres said in a video speech at the 2022 World Economic Forum that it is still far from the who announced the goal of completing 40% of the global population's COVID-19 vaccination by the end of 2021 and completing 70% of the world's population by the middle of this year, "the vaccination rate in high-income countries is shamefully 7 times higher than that of African countries", and once again called for vaccine fairness. What is the Spokesperson's comment on this?

Zhao Lijian stated that Secretary-General Guterres's words were thought-provoking. The COVID-19 pandemic has been postponed to its third year, posing a serious threat to human life and health and global economic development. At the same time, the immune defense line built by vaccines continues to be impacted by mutated strains, and the "immunization gap" between developed and developing countries is still widening. In the face of the complex situation of the global fight against the epidemic, strengthening confidence and working together is the only correct way to defeat the epidemic.

Zhao Lijian stressed: China will believe in what it says and will bear fruit in its deeds. We have put forward the global vaccine cooperation action initiative, and have always stood in the "first square" of international anti-epidemic cooperation and served as the "first echelon" of fair distribution of vaccines. Last year, China provided more than 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, completing President Xi Jinping's declaration to the world. China has become the country that provides the most vaccines to the outside world. One in two vaccines used globally is "Made in China." Many countries, especially developing countries, received the first vaccines from China, and most of the vaccines obtained by these countries so far also come from China. As President Xi Jinping recently announced, China will provide another 1 billion doses of vaccines to Africa, of which 600 million doses will be free aid, and another 150 million doses of vaccines will be provided to ASEAN countries. We are also working with 20 countries to produce vaccines on the spot, with practical action to help developing countries produce vaccines.

Zhao Lijian pointed out that ending the pandemic is a top priority. According to the barrel theory, the amount of water that a barrel can hold is determined by the shortest plank. It is hoped that relevant countries and international organizations will work with China to jointly bridge the global "immunization gap" and truly contribute to mankind's early victory over the epidemic.

Editor-in-Charge: Li Yiqing

Proofreader: Luan Meng