China FM Wang Yi: Vaccine should be accessible, affordable

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has called for vaccines to be made accessible and affordable for developing countries, and pledged to provide Chinese vaccines to developing countries in need.

Wang spoke in a video speech released Thursday at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly.

"Defeating the pandemic requires concerted efforts from all countries," he said, stressing that major countries should lead in promoting collaboration.

Wang said the final phases of clinical trials were being accelerated, and that "once it is developed and put into use, we will actively provide it to developing countries as a global public good."

Nearly 100 world leaders and several dozen government ministers were scheduled to speak during the mainly virtual special session.

Leaders and ministers from over 140 countries are delivering prerecorded speeches after an in-person opening, including speeches by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir.

(Image Credits: AP)