U.S. sends 2.5 mil COVID vaccine doses to Taiwan
20 June, 2021
AMERICA announced Saturday that 2.5 million COVID vaccine doses were on their way to Taiwan in a move more likely to draw disapproval from Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island.
China expressed fury earlier this month when U.S. senators visited Taiwan and announced the vaccine donation amid simmering tensions between Washington and Beijing.
"Wheels up! Our donation of 2.5 million vaccine doses is on the way to Taiwan," STATE DEPT. spokesman Ned Price wrote in a tweet.
The number of shots is about 3 x as many as announced through the U.S. delegation visit to Taiwan. Taipei has accused Beijing of hampering its efforts to secure enough doses.
China's ruling Communist Party hasn't controlled Taiwan nonetheless it views the island within its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.
Beijing has heaped economic, military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan in recent years and keeps it locked out of international bodies including the World Health Organization.
Washington remains Taiwan's biggest ally but it does not maintain full diplomatic relations with Taipei since it officially recognizes Beijing.
Until recently, Taiwan navigated the pandemic in an exemplary fashion, recording simply a handful of deaths.
But cases have soared after an outbreak that started out with airline pilots.
"Many thanks to the #US because of this moving gesture of friendship. These vaccines will go a long way toward keeping #Taiwan safe & healthy," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on Twitter.
Source: japantoday.com
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