China will actively consider supplying its Covid-19 vaccines directly to SA and other African countries. It is a complement to Beijing’s support for Covax, the global partnership between developed and developing countries, to finance and get vaccinations to poorer countries as soon as possible.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the BRICS virtual summit last week that China would “actively consider delivering vaccines to BRICS countries where needed”.
South Africa is a member of BRICS, with Brazil, Russia, India and China.
On Tuesday this week, China’s new ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, reproduced Xi when he noted that Beijing had already committed to supplying vaccines to Africa through Covax, but would also ‘actively consider supplying vaccines to countries in need ‘.
Chen spoke at a webinar hosted by the South African National Press Club on China’s relations with South Africa and Africa. He said China would “deepen cooperation against the pandemic and build a China-Africa community of health for all”.
Apart from vaccines, China would continue to provide personal protective equipment, send medical experts and share anti-pandemic experience with African countries.
“We will make full use of the important role of South Africa as a bridge for the BRICS co-operation with Africa,” …