Xi warns of protectionism and calls not to impede the vaccine trade

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Thursday to facilitate the global trade in vaccines and other medical supplies, stating that unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise around the world and that globalization is facing headwinds.

In a televised speech on the occasion of the inauguration of the International Exhibition of Importation of China, Xi praised the country’s contributions to the global fight against COVID-19 and its efforts to open up its economy, while maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to controlling the virus that has placed strict limits on travel in and out of the country. .

China is on high alert at its international ports of entry to reduce the risk of COVID-19 cases entering from abroad, and has stepped up restrictions within the country amid a growing outbreak less than 100 days before the Olympics. Winter in Beijing.

The National Immigration Administration (YEARS) said Thursday that it would continue to guide citizens not to go abroad for non-urgent and non-essential reasons.

“Since the coronavirus outbreak, China has exported about 350 billion face masks, more than 4 billion protective clothing, more than 6 billion test kits and more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccines, has actively promoted international cooperation in the fights the epidemic and has supported exemptions of intellectual property rights on vaccines for developing countriesXi said.

I affirm that China supports the fair distribution and unfettered trade of key medical supplies, such as vaccines.

Xi Jinping He said the global multilateral trade regime faces challenges, and promised that China would expand imports and pursue a balanced development of trade, without providing a specific target.

He added that the country would also expand the opening of its telecommunications and health services industries in an orderly manner, and that it would publish lists of investment restrictions to guide foreign entities to enter the market.

China It will actively participate in the fight against climate change and maintain global food and energy security, Xi said.

The Chinese president did not attend this week the start of the main meeting of the HIM-HER-IT on climate change, held in Scotland, and presented a written statement at the opening of the “high-level segment for heads of state and government“In which it offered no additional commitment, while urging countries to keep their promises and”strengthen mutual trust and cooperation”.