President Xi Jinping stated at the all-virtual Davos meeting on Monday that China will deliver another billion doses of Covid-19 vaccinations to African countries, adding that 150 million vaccine doses will be donated to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
Xi stated that 600 million of the one billion vaccinations that would be sent to Africa will be given. This is in addition to the more than one billion medicines pledged and delivered to Africa last year by China.
“China is a country that follows through on its promises.” “China has already sent over two billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said via video connection at the World Economic Forum on Monday, his third appearance at the event.
“However, China will provide an additional one billion doses to African countries, including 600 million doses as a donation, as well as 150 million doses to ASEAN countries,” he said.
Xi stated in November that China will distribute one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccinations to Africa, after previously supplying the country with about 200 million doses.
Xi emphasized that collaboration is the “only right way” to beat the epidemic, and that holding each other back or transferring responsibility “would only cause unnecessary delay in response” and “distract us from the overall objective.”
“Holding each other back or shifting blame would only cause unnecessary delay in response and distract us from the overall goal,” he explained.
“As historical changes collide with a once-in-a-century pandemic, the world finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation,” Xi stated.
The Covid-19 pandemic first appeared in late December 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
China has been accused of suppressing vital information about the virus’s origins; Beijing has fiercely denied this, stating that more nations should be researched to determine the virus’s origins.
According to official figures, China has donated more than 372 billion masks, more than 4.2 billion protective suits, 8.4 billion testing reagents, and more than 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccinations to more than 120 countries and international organizations by the end of last year.
According to a government spokeswoman on Monday, China has delivered the most immunizations internationally.
At a time of escalating geopolitical tensions, Xi encouraged foreign states to abandon a “Cold War mentality,” a veiled jab at the United States.
As he addressed the inaugural speech, the Chinese leader praised his country’s efforts to distribute vaccinations, combat climate change, and support growth both at home and abroad.
“We must abandon the Cold War mentality in favor of peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes.” “Today’s world is far from tranquil,” Xi stated. “Neither protectionism nor unilateralism can protect anyone.” They ultimately harm both the interests of others and one’s own. Worse are hegemonic and bullying actions that run opposed to historical trends.
“A zero-sum approach that increases one’s own gain at the expense of others will not help,” he continued. “Peaceful development and win-win cooperation are the best paths forward for humanity.”
Because of health concerns related to the coronavirus epidemic, an online event will be hosted in place of the face-to-face meeting of political and business power players in Davos, Switzerland, for the second year in a row.