Editorial
A much-needed partnership that should be seen through diligently
We welcome the government s decision to join five other South Asian countries in a multilateral effort to ensure vaccine and oxygen supply among the countries. The China-led initiative, called China-South Asia Platform for Covid-19 Consultation, Cooperation, and Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery , had its first meeting held virtually with the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan in attendance. During the meeting, Bangladesh s foreign minister stressed on the importance of multilateralism and cooperation among countries during the Covid-19 crisis.
There are plans of establishing a Covid Emergency Medical Facility, a Poverty Alleviation Centre, and of exploring e-commerce in rural areas in Bangladesh, as proposed by China. While there are no solid plans yet as to when and where the medical facility would be built, we would urge the government to see the plan throu
We are most reluctant to use vaccines not approved by WHO The New Nation 30 April 2021
With uncertainty looming over supply of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from India s Serum Institute, Bangladesh on Wednesday approved the local manufacturing of China s Sinopharm and Russia s Sputnik V vaccines. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, approved in principle the proposals for producing vaccines in Bangladesh.
The government has also decided to join five other South Asian countries in a multilateral effort to ensure vaccine supply among the countries. The China-led initiative, called China-South Asia Platform for Covid-19 Consultation, Cooperation, and Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery , had its first meeting held virtually with the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka taking part. Media reports said Dhaka is in talks with Beijing regarding the Sinopharm vaccine
Vaccines must be distributed with equity
FMs of 6 nations including Bangladesh, China say in joint statement Diplomatic Correspondent Diplomatic Correspondent
China and five South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, have opposed the idea of vaccine nationalism while calling for distribution of vaccine under the principles of equity and justice. The foreign ministers agreed that vaccines, as a key weapon to defeat Covid-19, should be distributed in accordance with the principles of equity and justice, said the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal in a joint statement issued yesterday, following a video conference on Tuesday.
China expressed its readiness to provide continued medical supplies and technical assistance to the participating countries to the best of its ability.
Getting The Vaccines, O2: Bangladesh joins China initiative
Diplomatic Correspondent
Diplomatic Correspondent
Bangladesh has joined the China-led initiative with five other South Asian countries in the spirit of partnership and multilateralism to have vaccine and oxygen supplies during the critical period of coronavirus pandemic. We can see moves of unilateralism. We don t want it. We want multilateralism, cooperation and partnership. This is important. We have stressed on it, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters yesterday.
This was the first foreign minister-level meeting of the China-led initiative called China-South Asia Platform for Covid-19 Consultation, Cooperation, and Post-pandemic Economic Recovery . Foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan attended the meeting, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the chair.