DHAKA:Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming said

the vaccine coproduction effort between Bangladesh and China has
become a ‘role model’ of COVID inoculation cooperation in the region.

“After the (today’s) successful signing ceremony, the vaccine
cooperation between our two countries has become a role model in this
region,” he said.

The envoy was speaking at the signing ceremony of memorandum of
understanding (MoU) among Bangladesh, China and Incepta Pharmaceutical
on coproduction of Sinopharm vaccine in Bangladesh.

At the bilateral level, the ambassador said China is one of the most
reliable partners of Bangladesh in terms of vaccine cooperation.

He mentioned that China has provided 2.1 million doses of Sinopharm
vaccine as gift to Bangladesh, 3.4 million doses under the COVAX
facility, and 8 million doses as part of an arrangement of a
large-scale commercial purchase.

He said vaccines should be shared with greater intensity and speed
to make them accessible to and affordable for developing countries
around the world as quickly as possible, especially the least
developed countries.

China acted quickly to provide vaccines to fellow developing
countries in need, Li said.

“I wish to underscore that in carrying out vaccine cooperation,
China has no political motive or economic calculations, and China does
not attach any political strings,” said the Chinese envoy.

Li further said the only purpose of China is to make vaccines a
global public good that truly serves the people’s interests and help
the world defeat the pandemic at an early date.

Although China’s vaccine production capacity is yet to reach a
sizeable scale and domestic demand for vaccination has been rising
sharply, the envoy said, China has already donated, and is donating,
vaccines to over 100 countries, through bilateral or international
channels and is exporting vaccines to over 60 countries.

“(China) will continue increasing production capacity steadily,
providing more accessible and affordable vaccines to meet the needs of
developing countries,” he said.

He observed that vaccine cooperation requires greater solidarity and
sense of responsibility, full mobilization of governments, businesses
and international organizations.

The Chinese ambassador thanked Bangladesh for respecting science,
multilateralism and justice and hoped that the anti-pandemic
cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing will only become stronger and
more fruitful.

Under the MoU, Incepta, a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company will
bring in bulk and make bottling, labeling and finishing of the jabs
here locally.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming, and
Incepta Chairman Abdul Muktadir signed the MoU on behalf of their
respective sides in presence of foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.