The COVID-19 pandemic has all but completely paralyzed international personnel exchanges and dealt a heavy blow to the global economy in 2020. More than 100 million people have been infected with the disease so far and countries that can are rushing to develop vaccines, which started rolling out early this year. Some people saw those vaccines as the light at the end of the tunnel, as many Western countries plunged into a hoarding frenzy; while most of the developing nations could only watch in despair. According to United Nations data, 10 countries are in possession of 75 percent of COVID-19 vaccines. As of early February, a total of 107.3 million doses have been administered globally, with 6 percent of the population inoculated in North America, topping the chart, 3.6 percent in Europe, 0.9 percent in Asia, 0.7 percent in South America, and less than 0.1 percent in Africa. As a result, many African countries have renounced “vaccine nationalism” and urged developed countries to share their excessive stockpiles in the spirit of humanitarianism to save some lives outside their borders and help save the world in doing so.
Meanwhile, China is vigorously fulfilling its pledge to provide vaccines to countries who ask for them. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, China was offering free vaccines to 53 countries, with Pakistan, Cambodia, Belarus, etc., among the first batch to have received the vaccines. China is concurrently exporting vaccines to 27 countries, among which the orders from Hungary, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, etc., have been fulfilled. It is China’s hope that all countries capable of developing and producing COVID-19 vaccines join hands in helping the international community, especially developing nations, win the fight against the pandemic. And China will continue cooperation with all parties concerned on vaccine development, production and distribution to the best of our abilities.
China most notably sent help to African countries in their hour of need. Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe are among the first African countries to receive vaccines from China. The pandemic situation remains severe in Africa, with mortality rate reaching 3.7 percent in the second wave of infections. Desperately in need of vaccines, state leaders of Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe and other African countries applauded China’s vaccine aid, which gave African people hope. China has taken solid steps to promote fair distribution of vaccines, in honor of an earlier pledge to UN member states of making COVID vaccines accessible to the public around the world. Many state leaders and people in third world countries have expressed gratitude toward China, saying vaccines from China let them see light at the end of the tunnel.
It is an undeniable fact that Chinese vaccines have proven to be safe, reliable and easy to store and transport. In terms of vaccine distribution, China has also been recognized as a front-runner and outstanding example of humanitarianism. Millions of people around the world would give testimony to China’s compassion and kindness.
Mencius once said, “Neither good timing nor good location compares to the advantage of good friends.” He also said that “a just cause attracts much support, an unjust one finds little.” Since people always side with justice and benevolence, it should surprise no one that China has won numerous peoples’ heart once again all over the world.
The author is the chairman of Fong Shu Fook Tong Foundation and the Fong’s Family Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.