China will treat a coronavirus vaccine developed there as a “global public good,” President Xi Jinping said Monday.
China has some of the leading candidates in the global race for an immunization, with four already in human trials. While the practical implications of Xis commitment remain unclear, its a sign that Beijing is aligning itself, at least rhetorically, with a broader movement to ensure equal access to coronavirus breakthroughs.
“COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good,” Xi told the World Health Assembly at its virtual gathering. “This will be Chinas contribution to ensuring vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.”
Xis announcement could further isolate the U.S., which has taken steps to control exports of an experimental treatment and was subject of rumors that it wanted to secure exclusive access to a vaccine.
Washington also objected to casting coronavirus remedies as “global public goods” in a resolution about the COVID-19 response expected to be adopted by World Health Organization member countries on Tuesday. Global puRead More – Source
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