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PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will receive priority recipient status for Covid-19 vaccines produced in China once the country finishes developing them, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
His Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, said the decision to give Malaysia priority status over vaccines is due to the two nations’ long and traditional friendship.
Hishammuddin said the country appreciates China’s commitment to prioritize Malaysia in developing the Covid-19 vaccine.
“On the development of the Covid-19 vaccine, we thank and appreciate China’s commitment to provide Malaysia with the Covid-19 vaccines produced in China, once successfully developed, and that include Malaysia as a priority recipient.
“We welcome China’s agreement to encourage Chinese companies to establish comprehensive cooperation with Malaysian partners in vaccine research, development and distribution,” Hishammuddin said during a joint press conference with Wang here.
The minister spoke after a bilateral meeting with Wang at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Before that, the two top diplomats had a face-to-face conversation.
Wang, who is also a State Councilor of China, said Malaysia was a good friend of China.
“We enjoy a traditional friendship. If Malaysia needs the vaccine, we are open to that and are ready for detailed consultations on this collaboration, ”said Wang.
He also said that China was making good progress in the development of Covid-19 vaccines.
“Right now, there are eight vaccines in the world that are currently in the third phase of clinical trials.
“Four of them are being developed by China,” the Chinese diplomat added.
At the meeting, both countries agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the post-Covid-19 era.
A high-level committee on post-Covid-19 cooperation will also be established, which will be co-chaired by the two ministers.
On the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) project, Hishammuddin said that both countries would only launch it when the situation was safe.
“We agreed to continue discussions on cross-border movements for business and official travel.
“While the pandemic has no end yet, it is important for us to plan and discuss in advance.
“Therefore, we will jointly launch the RGL once the situation allows it for both countries,” he added.
The bilateral meeting also discussed palm oil trade, food security and the Belt and Road Initiative.
On the issue of the South China Sea, the two countries agreed that maintaining peace and stability in the region was of the utmost importance.
“Disputes must be addressed by peaceful means, including through regional dialogues and discussions between interested parties, without resorting to threats or the use of force,” Hishammuddin said.
Wang is visiting Malaysia as part of a tour of Southeast Asia.
After the meeting, Wang went to Singapore and plans to visit Laos and Thailand after that.
His last visit to Malaysia was in 2018.
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