"Give Us Vaccines"... Philippines Sends SOS to Troubled China Over South China Sea Issue

"Request to President Xi Jinping for Priority COVID-19 Vaccination for the Philippines"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] The Philippines has requested assistance from China, which is about to launch its COVID-19 vaccine, to secure priority access to the vaccine.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 28th, President Rodrigo Duterte stated in his congressional address the previous day that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to allow the Philippines to receive priority vaccination once China develops a COVID-19 vaccine. President Duterte said, "I asked President Xi to let the Philippines be vaccinated first (ahead of other countries) if China develops the vaccine," adding, "Since there will be high global demand for the COVID-19 vaccine, how to obtain the vaccine from developers or other governments is an important issue our government must resolve."

Regarding the conflict with China over the South China Sea, President Duterte also expressed his desire to resolve the issue diplomatically as much as possible. He said, "I want to pursue diplomacy with China while defending the Philippines' position in the South China Sea. We must remain calm unless we are prepared for war," and acknowledged, "China has weapons. We do not have weapons. We have to go to war, but we do not have the capacity."

In the context of recent criticism that President Duterte is trying to get closer to China, which is expanding its influence in the South China Sea, even at the expense of security interests, he once again made clear his stance that he cannot antagonize China, which has military superiority. Although diplomatic relations with China are strained due to the South China Sea territorial dispute, it is interpreted that the COVID-19 situation has led to a pragmatic approach prioritizing practical benefits in bilateral relations. China's Sinopharm is currently conducting Phase 3 clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine and expects to make the vaccine available to the public within the year.

Since taking office in 2016, President Duterte has sought to improve relations with China. China, too, perceiving increased U.S. interference in the South China Sea territorial disputes, has been working to improve relations with the disputing parties, including the Philippines. Recently, Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, held a video conference with the Philippine Foreign Minister, emphasizing that "China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors" and extended a hand for cooperation with the Philippines in COVID-19 vaccine development, the 'business fast track,' and the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路: land and maritime Silk Road) sectors.