Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Engages in 'Vaccine Diplomacy' with Four Southeast Asian Countries

Following Five African Countries... Focus on Improving Relations Ahead of Biden's Inauguration

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Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, is set to visit four Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar and Indonesia, ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden's inauguration.

From the 4th to the 9th, Wang visited five African countries?Nigeria, Congo, Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles?engaging in vaccine diplomacy. According to Chinese state media such as the People's Daily and Global Times, Wang will officially visit four countries?Myanmar, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines?starting from the 11th.

Chinese media explained that Wang Yi is visiting these countries at the invitation of Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin. Given Myanmar's recent struggles with the spread of COVID-19, the supply of Chinese vaccines is expected to be a major agenda item during the talks.

Myanmar has requested vaccine funding support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Myanmar is approximately 130,000. Economic cooperation with Myanmar is also likely to be discussed. On the 10th, China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Myanmar, a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, to connect railways in the Mandalay region.

Indonesia is reported to have secured 125.5 million doses of vaccines from China's Sinovac. Indonesia plans to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to 181.5 million people, which is 70% of its total population, by March to achieve herd immunity. The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is approaching 820,000. The Philippines also has nearly 490,000 confirmed cases, making it the second-highest in Southeast Asia.

During his visit to the four Southeast Asian countries, Wang Yi is expected to focus his diplomatic efforts on improving relations with China, including promising vaccine supplies. The Global Times attributed significance to Wang's visits, stating that they "focus on strengthening friendships with neighboring countries."

The media outlet expressed expectations that "this visit to the four Southeast Asian countries will further solidify relations with China and increase understanding of China," and that "these countries will take an objective stance amid Sino-U.S. conflicts." It also noted that China's open and inclusive attitude toward Southeast Asia will remain unchanged, and that vaccine diplomacy will help secure China's allies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.