China's President Xi Jinping has promised to give the Philippines priority access to a vaccine against COVID-19 once it develops one, the Palace said Friday.
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“President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to the international community to make any vaccine it develops a global public good and that as a friendly neighbor, China certainly considers the Philippines as a priority,” the Palace said in a statement.
The Palace said Xi made the assurance during a 38-minute phone conversation with President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday.
During the call, Duterte said vaccines should be accessible and affordable to all countries, including the Philippines, the Palace said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved a Chinese company that is developing a vaccine, Sinovac Biotech, as a potential collaborating organization for clinical trials in the Philippines.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to build stronger bilateral cooperation to address the COVID-19 pandemic, which first broke out in Wuhan, China.
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“The President mentioned to his Chinese counterpart the need for cooperation in research trials for COVID-19 vaccine development and underscored the importance of making the vaccine accessible and affordable to all countries,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
In a press statement, Palace said the two leaders also recognize the two countries’ efforts in addressing the COVID-19 crisis and reboot their respective economies.
Malacañang said Xi had assured Duterte of the continued supply of medical supplies and equipment, the promotion of the free flow of goods, and the resumption and completion of priority infrastructure cooperation projects in the Philippines.
Duterte on Friday called on the Filipino people to be united in the battle against the unseen enemy, COVID-19, which has already claimed more than 1,000 lives and infected more than 24,000 since March.
Duterte, who is in Davao city, made the call in a taped message for the country’s 122nd Independence Day.
The President was represented by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument and attended by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, and Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.
“As we wage a united battle against COVID-19, we now have the opportunity to demonstrate that we possess the same gallantry of spirit and the nobility of character as the heroes of our past,” Duterte said.
“Let us now move forward with courage, hope, and optimism as we overcome this pandemic,” he added.
Only 10 guests were present in the wreath-laying ceremony in line with the IATF’s health and safety protocols.
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