As world's largest vaccine makers, China and India must join hands to defeat COVID-19

As two of the world's largest vaccine producers, China and India have every reason to join hands and work for the final victory against COVID-19, a Chinese envoy said as he called for cooperation between the two Asian nations in the global fight against the pandemic. Reminding India that "a close neighbor is dearer than a distant relative," Tang Guocai, the Chinese consul general in Mumbai, also highlighted Beijing's support in New Delhi's COVID-19 fight amid a devastating second wave.

"At the call of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese governments of various levels, especially civil organizations and business community are making every effort supporting India to fight the virus," Tang said at a seminar on Tuesday organized by the Chinese Consulate in Mumbai in association with the Yunnan International Research Center and the South India Education Society, according to the transcript of his speech published on the consulate's website.

"As a matter of fact, China is providing the vast majority of oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies India needs. China is the first country to get out of the pandemic and resume development, offering India and the region huge opportunities. We are glad to find the second wave of COVID-19 here is melting down," he added, emphasizing that a collaborative effort between the two Asian neighbors can play an important role to control the pandemic regionally as well as globally.

China was among the first countries to extend its support to India as COVID-19 cases surged in the second wave, with President Xi sending a "message of sympathy" and assuring cooperation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Since early April, Chinese manufacturers have received orders for more than 60,000 oxygen concentrators from various Indian NGOs and agencies, half of which have already been delivered along with over 5,000 ventilators and tens of thousands of oximeters.

Mixed signals: Calls for economic decoupling 'self-contradictory' India has requested China to keep supply chains open to ensure smooth movement of pandemic-related products after Sichuan Airlines last month announced a 15-day suspension in cargo flights. The airline later said it would resume services.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meanwhile has assured his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar that Beijing would encourage Chinese firms to expedite production and offer medical supplies to India, and facilitate customs clearance and transportation.

Chinese Consul General Tang however lamented the mixed signals coming out of India, which wants Beijing to keep supply lines open but at the same time continues to implement "protective" policies targeted at Chinese firms. Read More at https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-27/China-to-India-A-close-neighbor-is-dearer-than-a-distant-relative-10BDrcJkj8k/index.html