Will discuss with India Xi’s offer of cooperation on vaccine: China

NEW DELHI: Following Chinese President Xi Jinping's remark that China is willing to cooperate with India and South Africa for Covid-19 vaccine, the Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday said officials from India and China will discuss the issue.

Asked what kind of cooperation China is seeking with India on the development of vaccines, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the media in Beijing, "I believe competent authorities of China and India will have communication and coordination".

"The Chinese government is willing to make contributions to achieving the accessibility and affordability of vaccine in developing countries. China is willing to promote sustained cooperation ...with other countries and international fight against Covid-19 to defeat the virus at an early date," he added.


In his speech at the 12th Brics summit, Xi on Tuesday said the Chinese companies are working with their Russian and Brazilian partners on Phase 3 clinical trials. "We are prepared to have cooperation with South Africa and India," he said addressing the virtual summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and attended by PM Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"China has joined the COVAX facility and will consider providing vaccines to the Brics countries," Xi said.