November 29, 2020

Diplomats from countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and representatives have acclaimed China's COVID-19 vaccines, expressing their confidence in promising results and expectations for further cooperation. The praise contrasts sharply with some Western media claims that Southeast Asian countries have distanced themselves from "China's vaccine diplomacy" due to their national interests potentially being compromised as a quid pro quo for accessing the vaccine.

Representatives from ASEAN members have applauded China's determination to make the vaccines an "accessible and affordable" public good at the 17th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit held in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The event ends on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Friday at the Expo to actively consider "the needs of ASEAN countries" once the vaccines are available. Xi said that China and ASEAN countries will step up information sharing and cooperation on the production, development, and deployment of vaccines.

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