Chinese embassy says vaccine promise 'unrelated' to ships release

 

China's embassy in Kuala Lumpur has denied a report quoting sources that linked Beijing's promise for Putrajaya to get priority access to Covid-19 vaccines with the release of six ships detained over alleged encroachment.

Its spokesperson Tang Tang in a statement to Malaysiakini said the report by Nikkei Asia had made a connection between "two independent events" - the China-Malaysia vaccine cooperation and the release of China’s fishing vessels anchoring in Johor waters.

"On Oct 9, six China fishing vessels en route to Africa had to anchor in Malaysian waters due to mechanical failure.

"Upon the request of the relevant Malaysian agencies, the China-based company responsible for the vessels immediately applied for a permit to allow the vessels to be anchored legally in Malaysian waters," he said.

Tang said the boats experienced a "normal" technical incident and that the facts of the situation were "clear from beginning to end".

He stressed that the boat situation had nothing to do with the vaccine cooperation between the two countries, adding that the vessels were cleared to leave Malaysian waters on Oct 22.

Nikkei Asia - in a report yesterday covering developments across several Southeast Asian countries - highlighted discreet negotiations said to involve Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Wisma Putra.

The report quoted an unidentified official who claimed Wang had made the purported request during his visit to Malaysia on Oct 11 and Oct 12, at a meeting with Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

During the visit, Wang was also quoted as saying that Malaysia will get priority access to the China-produced vaccine.

Tang further described Wang's (photo) visit as a successful session that reflected on strong Malaysia-China relations.

"The vaccine cooperation between both countries is in good and constant progress.

"This is the latest fruit borne by the strong brotherhood and pragmatic cooperation between China and Malaysia, which never has linked nor will be linked with any other irrelevant issue," he said.

He also claimed the report, which also highlighted the race by several Southeast Asian countries to obtain Covid-19 vaccines from China, as being largely based on groundless speculation and accusations.

"China’s participation in international vaccine cooperation is driven by humanitarianism, not ideological or geopolitical concerns or interests," he said, reiterating a commitment made in September during the China-Asean foreign ministers meeting for priority access to member countries.

China and Malaysia are also members of the Covid-19 vaccine global access (Covax) programme to obtain access to the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.  - Mkini