Malaysia, China deepens cooperation in vaccine development
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 NOVEMBER 2020 – Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China have signed an agreement on cooperation in safe and efficacious vaccine development.
The Agreement aims to forge greater collaboration between both countries in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement today, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia say the agreement was signed in a virtual ceremony.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin and his Chinese counterpart, HE Wang Zhigang are the signatories.
This particular Agreement will be operationalized under the supervision ofthe High Level Committee, which will be chaired by the two Foreign Ministers; Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Foreign Affairs and HE Wang Yi, State Councilor of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China.
An agreement was reached between both nations on 13 October 2020 to promote pragmatic cooperation and a more coherent approach in addressing post pandemic challenges.
During a bilateral virtual engagement, both Khairy and Wang Zhigang had agreed to increase collaboration in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic through science diplomacy.
PRIORITY ACCESS
The Agreement provides for Malaysia to be given priority access to COVID-19 vaccines developed by China, knowledge sharing and expertise as well as facilitate scientific and technological capabilities to advance vaccine development in both countries.
Both countries will also support the participation of their public and private sectors including universities, institutions, societies and organisations in joint collaborative projects.
Both Governments have further agreed that both countries will also support and encourage their enterprises to establish all-round cooperation in vaccine research and development (R&D) and supply.
This Agreement shall remain in force for an initial period of five (5) years and shall be automatically extended for a further period of one (1) year each at a time, upon mutual agreement by both parties.