On Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming met on-line with Dr. Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and his team. The two sides exchanged views on enhancing international cooperation on R&D of vaccine.

Ambassador Liu said, Covid-19 poses a grave challenge to mankind. Vaccine is the ultimate solution to win the final victory over the virus. In R&D of Covid-19 vaccine, China has not only worked hard itself but also taken an active part in international cooperation. At the 73rd World Health Assembly, President Xi Jinping solemnly pledged that when a Covid-19 vaccine is successfully developed and put to use in China, China will be shared it with the world as a global public good to ensure vaccine accessibility and affordability, especially in developing countries. The Chinese side appreciates the work that CEPI has done to promote international cooperation on R&D of vaccine and its achievements so far, and looks forward to closer exchanges and cooperation with CEPI, and more positive contribution from CEPI to safeguarding the safety and health of people of all countries.

Ambassador Liu emphasized, mankind belongs to a community with a common future, where people from all countries share weal and woe. In this battle against the virus, solidarity and cooperation are the most effective weapons. While we are fighting Covid-19, it is also important to guard against "political virus". Some politicians from Western countries claimed that China is stealing research data from others. This is completely groundless. Such accusations constitute a complete disrespect for the hard efforts of Chinese scientists and malicious slanders against the achievements of China in the fight against Covid-19. They could also gravely undermine international cooperation on R&D of vaccine and global joint response to the pandemic. The world must firmly oppose and reject such groundless claims.

Dr. Hatchett gave an update about CEPI and its works, and paid tribute to China for having taken effective measures against Covid-19 to not only contain the spread of the virus at home but also contribute to global response to the pandemic. CEPI believes that the pandemic should not be used as a tool for political manipulation. It is working with all parties to advance R&D of Covid-19 vaccine around the world, and stands ready to step up cooperation with China with a view to achieving breakthroughs at an early date, so as to benefit people of the whole world.

CEPI was jointly launched by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust and the governments of Norway, India and other countries at Davos 2017. It focuses on vaccine development, licensure and manufacturing while supporting the efforts of its partners in vaccine discovery and delivery. It is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, has offices in London and Washington DC, and opened a representative office in Shanghai last March.