OREANDA-NEWS. China has joined the international coronavirus vaccine distribution group COVAX established by the World Health Organization (WHO). This was stated by the spokesperson of the China, Hua Chunying, published on the website of the Foreign Ministry.

“This is an important step China has taken to uphold the concept of a shared community of health for all and to honor its commitment to turn COVID-19 vaccines into a global public good,” the statement reads. Hua Chunying noted that China has several vaccines, and the country has decided to join the COVAX mechanism to “ensure equitable distribution of vaccines, especially to developing countries.”

Under COVAX, 2 billion doses of vaccines are to be distributed worldwide by the end of 2021.

In early September, The Financial Times, citing WHO documents, reported that the implementation of the international initiative COVAX had to be postponed due to the position of rich countries, such as the United States, Great Britain and Japan, which preferred to conclude bilateral deals for supply of medications with international corporations.