China supports vaccine development

Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming, right, poses with Jerome H. Kim, director general of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) at Seoul National University, Tuesday, after the Chinese Embassy made a donation for vaccine development. Yonhap

By Do Je-hae

The Chinese Embassy in Korea has made a donation for vaccine development to a Seoul-based international research center.

The donation has gained attention as it was made while the rivalry between China and the U.S. is deepening and countries around the world are eager to develop a coronavirus vaccine, although the embassy and the center said the donation would be used for vaccine studies in general, not specifically for the coronavirus.

Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming took part in a ceremony at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) at Seoul National University, Tuesday, marking the embassy's donation of $20,000 to the institute. Founded in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the IVI is devoted to vaccine development and vaccination programs in developing countries.

“Viruses know no borders, and infectious diseases do not discriminate by race. Against COVID-19, which is still spreading around the world, the international community must cooperate more than ever before,” the Chinese envoy said.

He said China values international cooperation in vaccine research and development and it was one of the first countries to sign the International Vaccine Institute Agreement, maintaining a good partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Vaccine Alliance.

“Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, China has participated in important international conferences. On these occasions, China promised to launch and use vaccine products as soon as possible. And we have expressed our commitment to provide safe, effective, high-quality global public goods to the world and to address the challenges of access to vaccines and economic burdens in developing countries,” Xing said.

According to the embassy, the Chinese ambassador has taken a special interest in the institute after participating in a ceremony in July to appoint Korea's first lady Kim Jung-sook as the honorary chairwoman of the support committee of the IVI.

“We hope that China and the IVI will be able to make greater contributions to the health of mankind by promoting in-depth practical cooperation and exchanges. The Chinese Embassy will continue to promote cooperation and exchanges between the two sides to serve as a bridge to achieve greater results,” Xing added.

“On behalf of IVI, I greatly appreciate the embassy's donation of $20,000 which will be used for research and development as well as international cooperation for vaccines against infectious diseases, including COVID-19,” said Jerome H. Kim, director general of the IVI. “With the message of solidarity for Vaccines Without Borders, Madame Kim Jung-sook asked countries to garner support for the IVI, and we are very grateful for the Chinese Embassy's donation in response to her call.”