KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia and China today signed an agreement on cooperation in safe and effective vaccine development to forge greater collaboration between the countries in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a joint statement, the Foreign Ministry (MoF) and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) said the agreement was signed by Mosti Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Zhigang.
“This agreement will be operationalised under the supervision of a High-Level Committee, co-chaired by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, as agreed on October 13. It is to promote pragmatic cooperation and a more coherent approach in addressing post-pandemic challenges," the statement said.
According to the statement, in a bilateral virtual engagement earlier, both Khairy and Zhigang had agreed to expand collaboration in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic through science diplomacy.
"Under the agreement, Malaysia will be given priority access to the 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."
Also, both governments have further agreed that their countries will also support and encourage their enterprises to establish all-round cooperation in vaccine research and development, and supply.
The agreement shall remain in force for an initial period of five years and automatically extended for a further period of one year each at a time, upon the mutual agreement by both parties. – Bernama, November 18, 2020
