China called on all countries to jointly resist vaccine nationalism and promote equitable vaccine distribution, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press briefing on Friday.

Workers unload containers holding 500.000 doses of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from a special Air Serbia flight at Belgrade Airport on February 10, 2021. (File photo: CFP)

According to reports, while western countries are scrambling for COVID-19 vaccines, Chinese vaccines have become the most reliable choice for many developing countries to fight the epidemic.

Hua expressed her relief that Chinese vaccines could help developing countries at such a crucial time in the fight against the epidemic.

Many countries have sent chartered planes to China to pick up vaccines, and heads of state and senior officials have come to the airport to welcome the Chinese vaccines. Some foreign leaders said that although China needs vaccines, it still keeps providing assistance to many developing countries. Chinese vaccines are like the light at the end of the tunnel, according to Hua.

So far, at least 8 heads of state have been vaccinated with Chinese vaccines, conveying their confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, Hua pointed out.

She stressed that the purpose of China’s international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines is to make the vaccines genuinely global public goods and promote equitable vaccine distribution, especially in developing countries.

“China will continue to work with all parties to strengthen medical cooperation in various ways and contribute to the final victory in the global fight against the pandemic”, Hua said.

(Compiled by Liu Kechen)