China to work with UAE to produce 'affordable' vaccines, Beijing minister says

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says two nations share a deep trust, at start of two-day visit to the Emirates

A man is vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

A man is vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People queue to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People register to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People register to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

People register to get vaccinated at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Bareen International Hospital

China pledged to partner with the UAE to produce vaccines that are widely available and affordable to boost the global fight against Covid-19.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two nations had already worked together successfully through the roll-out of the Sinopharm vaccine in the Emirates in December.

The senior diplomat spoke of the deep trust between China and the UAE after landing in Abu Dhabi on Saturday for the start of a two-day visit in which he will hold high-level talks with Emirati officials.

"I would like to say that China is making sure to work with the UAE to continue the co-operation between the two countries," Mr Wang told state news agency Wam.

"First, we will work to expedite the bilateral production of the vaccines in a way that would contribute greatly to making sure the vaccines are available and affordable."

The UAE approved the nationwide use of the Sinopharm vaccine on December 9 after the success of Phase 3 clinical trials held in the Emirates.

In January, UAE struck a deal to manufacture the vaccine, in addition to securing millions of shots for the population.

The country will begin producing the vaccine under licence from the Chinese medicine maker later this year to meet not only local but also expected global demand.

"These efforts did not only benefit the Chinese and UAE people, but the entire world in its fight against the pandemic," the minister said.

"The co-operation between the UAE and China during the Covid-19 pandemic symbolises the deep trust between the two countries."

Mr Wang said China and the UAE would also operate in tandem to establish vaccination certificates to make international travel easier.

"We are confident that because of the bilateral efforts between China and the UAE, there would be more and better results in fighting the pandemic that would also result in a stronger international rhythm," the minister said.