In China's 'vaccine diplomacy' with the Philippines, both sides are taking big risks

Abstract

In a new East-West Wire commentary, columnist Jason Hung writes that the Philippines, like many other developing countries, has few choices other than China for access to COVID-19 vaccines as wealthier nations scoop up supplies of more advanced Western vaccines. But this may come with a long-term economic and diplomatic price tag. China, on the other hand, is gambling on the Philippines as a proving ground for marketing its vaccines as safe and effective"Desperate to contain the public health crisis," Hung writes, "Philippine leaders appear willing to gamble both on China's less proven but more affordable alternative, and on becoming more beholden to Beijing. China, however, also has a lot at stake. A successful rollout of its vaccines in the Philippines would open the door to other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond, as more developing countries seek to strengthen their economic partnerships with Beijing in exchange for vaccine supplies."