AMN/ WEB DESK
China on Thursday said that it is ready to discuss a proposal related to temporary waiver of COVID-19 vaccine patents within WTO. The proposal was jointly moved by India and South Africa on behalf of emerging economies that face vaccine shortages and production challenges.
The spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, on Thursday, said China is ready to have a constructive dialogue within the WTO and to achieve a positive and fair solution, when asked if China was ready to give up the patents to its vaccines.
Washington had already declared that it would be in favour of suspending intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promptly said Europe is willing to discuss it. Many world leaders have also supported the proposal.
The US said that it would actively engage in talks on this matter within the WTO. The anticipated temporary waiver provides a global response to COVID-19. The proposal establishes a global solution to enhance manufacturing and boost supply capacity and enables coordination and access to information currently under patent protection.