Open AccessChina’s Engagement in COVAX: From Hesitation to Active Participation
Author(s) -
Jin Jian,
Liangtao Liu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chinese journal of international review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2630-5321
pISSN - 2630-5313
DOI - 10.1142/s2630531321500074
Subject(s) - china , alliance , multilateralism , covid-19 , political science , business , mechanism (biology) , economic growth , international trade , public relations , economics , medicine , politics , law , philosophy , disease , epistemology , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the whole world has suffered great losses in personnel and economy. While there had been encouraging news about the research, development and production of several COVID-19 vaccines in 2020, it was imperative to make the vaccines accessible to all. To address this issue, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, together with other organizations, launched the COVAX initiative in April 2020 and set an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) mechanism to contribute to it. Until October 2020, China had not officially signed any related contracts or agreements with Gavi to join the initiative. However, there has since been a shift in China’s attitude from hesitation towards active participation. In the early stages, China’s concern over problems within the AMC mechanism, success in combating COVID-19 and concern on the participation conditions of COVAX caused it to take a cautious stance towards this initiative. However, upholding the flag of multilateralism, China has committed to offering international public goods, assisting in coordinating the equitable distribution of vaccines and promoting Chinese-made vaccines internationally. These factors have motivated China to join the initiative actively.