China objects to Japan donating COVID vaccines to Taiwan

China says it’s opposed to Japan donating COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan. Last Friday Japan said it was in talks with AstraZeneca, over supplying a portion of its stockpile to Taiwan. Tokyo’s announcement triggered an angry protest from Beijing, which said Taiwan could easily obtain vaccines from China and was instead exploiting the issue for political gain. Motegi Toshimitsu (May 29) Japan foreign minister We heard that Taiwan will not have a steady vaccine supply until July. Before that point, it will not have sufficient vaccines. Considering the relationship between Taiwan and Japan, we will have a good look at the details of providing Taiwan with vaccines. Kono Taro (May 29) Japan minister for administrative reform During the March 11 Tohoku earthquake, Taiwan provided various types of aid, including donations. So of course, when it is facing difficulty, we want to help. Last week, Japan said it was willing to give part of its AstraZeneca vaccine supply to Taiwan. The announcement drew a sharp objection from Beijing. In a routine press conference, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Taiwan could easily obtain vaccines from China. He blasted Taiwan’s government for attempting to seek independence by “exploiting the issue of vaccines.” In turn, Taiwanese official Chiu Chui-cheng said it was the CCP that’s politically manipulating the vaccine issue, thwarting the efforts of a third party to assist Taiwan. Such behavior is disheartening, he said, adding that the Taiwanese people were now seeing the true face of Beijing. Voice of Chiu Chui-cheng MAC deputy minister Saving lives is of the utmost importance, it is paramount – preserving life and safety should transcend everything. We want to solemnly call on the other side of the strait to show some self-respect and cease its political manipulation of the vaccine issue. Over in Japan, there are reports of China working behind the scenes to prevent Japan’s vaccine donation. Seiei Hirouchi Japanese medical university dean China knows of this development and China will absolutely attempt to obstruct it. Although they have mobilized some pro-China parliamentarians and some pro-China Japanese officials to block the donation, the Japanese cabinet and a majority of the Japanese parliament are still in favor. They believe that Japan should donate its surplus vaccines to Taiwan. To circumvent Beijing, Japan is considering donating to Taiwan by way of the COVAX global initiative or a private organization, according to Japanese media agency Kyodo News.