China Criticizes Taiwan Authorities for Loose Quarantine Leading to Community Infection Spread
Taiwan Vaccination Rate Below 1%, Only 300,000 AstraZeneca Doses Available
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media outlets have urged the introduction of Chinese-made vaccines, criticizing the Taiwanese authorities' epidemic prevention response as problematic amid a sharp increase in community infections of COVID-19 in Taiwan. Taiwan, which has been regarded as a model country for COVID-19 prevention, has recently seen a surge in community infections, with 180 and 206 new confirmed cases reported on the 15th and 16th, respectively.
China's state-run Global Times reported on the 17th that voices demanding the introduction of Chinese-made vaccines are growing louder within Taiwan, but the Taiwanese authorities are rejecting them. The outlet pointed out that as of the 12th, Taiwan's vaccination rate was below 1%, and the only imported vaccine was 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca. It also reported that vaccination was suspended on the 15th due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
On the 15th, as the number of local infections rose to triple digits, Taiwan's health authorities raised the epidemic prevention alert level to Level 3 in northern Taipei City and New Taipei City until the 28th.
Chinese media analyzed that the surge in community infections was due to the Taiwanese authorities' lax epidemic prevention measures, such as relaxed quarantine standards for airline crew members. They expressed concern that although there are calls within Taiwan to introduce Chinese-made vaccines, the Taiwanese authorities are unlikely to accept them.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, criticized, "The Taiwanese authorities are neglecting the health of the Taiwanese people and are making absurd political excuses to reject Chinese-made vaccines."
Wang Jianmin, a Taiwan affairs expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, predicted, "It seems unlikely that the Taiwanese authorities will change their stance on vaccines produced on the mainland," adding, "There is a high possibility that Taiwan will further politicize COVID-19, for example by exaggerating the chances of being invited to the World Health Assembly (WHA)."
Chinese media also reported that as confirmed cases surge in Taiwan, panic buying of epidemic prevention supplies such as masks is occurring, warning that Taiwan could face serious chaos due to COVID-19.
China Central Television (CCTV) reported that with the upgrade of the epidemic prevention alert level in Taipei City and New Taipei City, vehicles disappeared from the roads and people could not be seen on the streets. As of the 16th, Taiwan has a total of 1,682 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
