Sarah Bennett
China has approved several domestically produced COVID-19 vaccines for public use, including vaccines from Sinovac Biotech, Sinopharm, CanSino Biologics Inc (CanSinoBIO), and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products. China has also exported and donated vaccines to numerous countries. In March 2023, China approved its first domestic mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, with an efficacy of 85.3 percent 14 to 28 days after a booster vaccination. However, China has been criticized for leveraging access to its coronavirus vaccine to pressure Turkey into deporting Uighur Muslims, who face systematic repression in China's Xinjiang region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of domestically produced vaccines approved for public use | 4 |
| Companies producing the vaccines | Sinovac Biotech, Sinopharm, CanSino Biologics Inc (CanSinoBIO), Wuhan Institute of Biological Products |
| Efficacy rates | 71.25% (Sinopharm Wuhan unit), 79.34% (Sinopharm Beijing unit), 50.65% (Sinovac Brazil-based trial), 91.25% (Sinovac Turkey trial), 68.83% (CanSinoBIO single dose), 65.28% (CanSinoBIO one shot) |
| Efficacy rate of domestically produced mRNA vaccine | 85.3% |
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What You'll Learn
China approves first domestic mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
China has approved its first domestically developed messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for Covid-19. The vaccine was developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd and has been approved for "emergency use" by Beijing's health regulator.
The vaccine has shown high efficacy in trials when used as a booster shot for people who have been given other types of vaccines. The company has not yet offered further details about the trial. However, mRNA vaccines are considered among the most effective in reducing severe infections and deaths.
Unlike traditional vaccines, which use a weakened or inactivated germ to prepare the body for a future attack from the virus, mRNA vaccines use snippets of genetic material that carry instructions showing the body's cells how to produce a protein. In this case, the protein is the spike protein on the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. The body's immune system then triggers antibodies to fight off that spike protein, making it ready to fight the real coronavirus.
Beijing has refused to approve mRNA-based vaccines from foreign firms Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for public use. Other Chinese drugmakers, including CanSino, have previously said they were developing mRNA-based shots to help the country bridge its immunisation gap.
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China leverages coronavirus vaccine to pressure Turkey
China has been accused of leveraging its coronavirus vaccine to pressure Turkey into deporting Uighur Muslims back to China, where they face repression, forced labour, and detention without trial. Turkey has a large Uighur population, with more than 35,000 Uighur Muslims estimated to live in the country. There is overwhelming support for the Uighurs among the Turkish public, but activists worry that the Turkish government will give in to pressure from China, which has been accused of committing genocide against the Uighur people.
In 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to an extradition treaty with China, but the pact has not yet been ratified by the Turkish government. China’s nominal legislature ratified the treaty in 2023, the same day that a delivery of Chinese-made coronavirus vaccines was delayed in Beijing, raising suspicions that Chinese officials are threatening access to the vaccine to ensure the Turkish Parliament’s backing of the agreement.
Turkish opposition politician Lutfu Turkkan has accused the Erdogan government of allowing China to use coronavirus immunization as a bargaining tool, saying, “They will return Uighur Turks to China to get the vaccine.” Erdogan has performed a diplomatic balancing act in his dealings with China, a key economic partner, but his government’s increasing authoritarianism and closer ties with Russia and China have provoked the US.
Uighur activists have kept a daily vigil outside the Chinese consulate in Istanbul, protesting against Beijing’s influence over Turkey and demanding details of missing family members in Xinjiang. They do not trust China and believe that the Turkish government should not give China the opportunity to inflict further repression on the Uighur diaspora. The resolve of the wider community is being tested as Turkey relies on China for the vaccine.
As Western investors continue their exodus from Turkish equities and bonds, Turkey has turned to China as a potential source of capital, increasing its vulnerability to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. Analysts agree that this drift has come at the expense of the Uighurs.
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China approves two more domestic COVID-19 vaccines
China has approved two more domestic COVID-19 vaccines, bringing the total number of domestically produced vaccines available for use in the country to four. The announcement was made by China's National Medical Products Administration on Thursday. The two newly approved vaccines have been developed by CanSino Biologics Inc and the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, which is an affiliate of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).
The approval of these two vaccines adds to the list of previously approved vaccines from Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm's Beijing unit. Notably, China has not yet approved any COVID-19 vaccines developed by Western drug makers. The approved vaccines from Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm have already been exported and administered in other countries. Sinopharm's Wuhan unit vaccine demonstrated an efficacy rate of 72.51% against COVID-19, according to interim analysis of late-stage clinical trial data.
The ability to store the domestically produced vaccines at normal freezer temperatures is a significant advantage, especially when compared to vaccines like Pfizer's and Moderna's, which require much colder temperatures for storage. This feature could make the Chinese vaccines more accessible and practical for less affluent countries that may lack the necessary infrastructure for storing vaccines requiring extremely low temperatures.
China has been actively exporting and donating its vaccines to numerous countries. A foreign ministry spokesman stated that China is providing vaccines to 27 countries and donating free doses to 53 countries. The approved vaccines are expected to play a crucial role in China's vaccination program, targeting select groups with a higher risk of infection. Additionally, CanSino Biologics Inc's vaccine has been specifically approved for use by military personnel.
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China exports vaccines to 27 countries
China has developed vaccines for the coronavirus, with companies like CanSino and Sinovac exporting large quantities of Covid vaccines to developing countries. In total, China has exported vaccines to 27 countries. This is part of China's expansion of soft power and its pharmaceutical exports to Southeast Asia.
The development and export of coronavirus vaccines by Chinese companies demonstrate the country's strong life sciences talent base and its ability to innovate. The Chinese Academy of Sciences and major universities in China produce four to five times as many medical graduates annually as the United States. This talent pool contributes to China's growing biotech industry, which is known for its focus on speeding up manufacturing and reducing costs.
As a result, China can offer drugs and medical products at significantly lower prices than Western companies, making them more accessible to millions worldwide. For example, Likang Life Sciences, a Chinese company, is developing an affordable cancer vaccine that uses mRNA editing. This vaccine is currently undergoing clinical trials for FDA approval and will be offered at a much lower price than similar products from Western companies.
The availability of cheaper drugs and treatments from China puts pressure on Western countries like the United States to consider their approach to Chinese medicines. While there have been concerns about quality and safety standards in China, the affordability and accessibility of Chinese medical innovations may become increasingly attractive to countries with aging populations or facing healthcare budget constraints.
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China's vaccine sales outlook
China's vaccine market generated a revenue of USD 4,110 million in 2024 and is projected to more than double to USD 8,281.8 million by 2033. This corresponds to a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% from 2025 to 2033. In 2024, China accounted for 6.1% of the global vaccine market by revenue, and it is expected to lead the Asia Pacific regional market in terms of revenue in 2033.
The growth of China's vaccine market is driven by the presence of numerous vaccine manufacturers, favourable government initiatives, and high demand due to its large population. In addition, a supportive regulatory framework and demand for innovative vaccines are expected to provide further growth opportunities. For example, in June 2020, Sinovac Biotech Ltd. announced that the NMPA issued a product license for its quadrivalent flu vaccine for children older than 3 years. In May 2022, China National Biotec Group's influenza vaccine was approved by Chinese regulatory authorities.
Viral vaccines were the largest segment by revenue in 2024, with a 68.21% share. The vaccine market in China is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 8,281.8 million by 2033. In 2030, China's vaccination market size was projected to reach 132 billion yuan in sales revenue, or approximately US$ 20 billion, assuming a rate of 0.15 USD/yuan.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, China has approved four domestically produced vaccines for COVID-19.
Interim results from late-stage trials showed varying levels of efficacy ranging from 50.65% to 79.34%. The first domestic mRNA vaccine showed an efficacy of 85.3% 14 to 28 days after a booster vaccination.
Yes, China has donated and exported doses to numerous countries. It has provided free doses to 53 countries and exported vaccines to 27 others.
Yes, there are reports of China leveraging access to vaccines to pressure Turkey to ratify a treaty that would allow the deportation of Uighur Muslims fleeing repression in Xinjiang.
