Sarah Bennett
In 2020, China's ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, claimed that China had produced a vaccine that was ready for use. However, the Chinese embassy later altered his statement to say that China had conducted clinical experiments on five potential vaccines and was advanced in terms of research on a vaccine. In 2025, China is battling a mosquito-borne virus, chikungunya, with Covid-era methods as the US issues a travel warning. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of an enhanced risk for travelers to China, particularly the Guangdong province, due to the chikungunya outbreak. The CDC recommends that travelers to areas with a chikungunya outbreak get the vaccine, except for pregnant women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| China's involvement in US vaccines | No clear evidence of direct involvement |
| China's vaccine development | China has conducted clinical experiments on potential vaccines and claimed advancement in research |
| US-China scientific collaboration | Strained due to political tensions and security concerns |
| US universities' role in scientific advancements | Significant, but threatened by funding cuts and political interference |
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What You'll Learn
China's vaccine development capabilities
China has been actively developing its vaccine capabilities over the past decade. In 2002, the SARS outbreak spurred the country to take the life sciences more seriously, and since then, China has invested heavily in biotech research and development.
In 2015, China's State Council released the 'Made in China 2025' industrial policy, which outlined plans to prioritize the development of new vaccines, among other biomedical products. The following year, China implemented its 13th Five-Year Plan policy, which called for the large-scale development of next-generation biotech products and services by 2021. This included a focus on personalized medical treatments and new drugs.
China's biotechnology sector has focused on speed and efficiency, aiming to manufacture and distribute drugs at rapid rates. While China has faced challenges in frontier science for developing new drugs, it has made significant progress in the last decade. Chinese companies are now creating innovative medicines for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cardiometabolic conditions. For instance, Likang Life Sciences is developing an mRNA cancer vaccine that is undergoing clinical trials for FDA approval.
China's advancements in the biotech industry have attracted the attention of investors in the US and Europe, leading to increased collaboration and licensing deals with Western pharmaceutical firms. However, geopolitical tensions between the US and China may pose a threat to this collaboration. China's vaccine development capabilities have also been a topic of discussion during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Chinese ambassador to London claiming that China had produced a vaccine, although this was later censored by the embassy.
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US-China collaboration on vaccines
US-China relations in medicine date back to the 1900s, and both countries have been collaborating on vaccines for nearly 20 years. The US and China have shared flu viruses through the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop annual flu vaccines. However, a study by John James Kennedy, a professor of political science at the University of Kansas, found that people are much less likely to receive a US-China flu vaccine than one created by a US-Japan collaboration or the US alone. This is due to the politicization of attitudes toward vaccines and escalating distrust of China, where the COVID-19 epidemic originated.
Despite this, strong US-China collaboration in vaccine development and distribution would benefit both countries and the world. There are inherent long-term societal and health challenges in both nations that provide collaborative opportunities in health and medicine. These include urban health, ageing populations, environmental degradation, climate change, energy needs, and non-communicable diseases. To prepare for future outbreaks and pandemics, it is crucial to restore partnerships between US and Chinese government agencies, academic institutions, and scientific communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US and China collaborated through the WHO's COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility to provide funds for countries lacking financial resources. Both countries should expand the Yellow Card vaccination record system and continue exchanges between their academic and scientific communities.
However, there have been calls for restrictions on medicines from China, with some viewing its advancements in biotechnology as a threat to US national security. Prominent investors and executives with ties to the White House have lobbied for a crackdown on Chinese medicines, while major pharmaceutical companies have purchased the rights to Chinese-invented drugs. Nevertheless, companies like Pfizer have cultivated close ties with China, benefiting from deal-making and access to low-priced experimental drugs.
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China's vaccine safety standards
China has been at the forefront of battling various viruses, including the recent chikungunya outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's efforts to combat these viruses provide some insights into its vaccine safety standards and practices.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China was actively involved in vaccine research and development. Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to London, claimed that China had produced a vaccine that was ready for use. This statement stirred some controversy, with the embassy altering the transcript of his remarks. Nonetheless, China conducted clinical experiments on five potential COVID-19 vaccines, showcasing its commitment to vaccine development.
In the case of the chikungunya outbreak, China implemented preventive measures such as distributing mosquito nets, spraying insecticides, and even deploying drones to locate mosquito breeding grounds. While there is no specific treatment for chikungunya, vaccines are available for travellers to affected areas. China's response to this outbreak aligns with its broader focus on prevention and control measures to contain the spread of infectious diseases.
China has also invested significantly in its vaccine industry, with various research institutions and pharmaceutical companies dedicated to vaccine research and production. This includes state-owned enterprises and private companies that collaborate with international partners to develop and manufacture vaccines.
While the specifics of China's vaccine safety standards and regulations may differ from those in the United States, both countries prioritize vaccine safety and efficacy. China's vaccine development and approval processes are stringent, and the country actively participates in global efforts to combat infectious diseases, contributing to the development and availability of safe and effective vaccines worldwide.
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US-China relations and scientific exchange
US-China relations have been strained in recent years, particularly in the scientific sphere. The Trump administration's cuts to federal support for scientific and medical research have weakened America's position as a global leader in science and technology. In contrast, China has rapidly risen in global scientific rankings, with eight of the top ten scientific institutions now located in the country. This shift has significant implications for US-China relations, particularly in the context of vaccine development and public health.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were reports of Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming claiming that China was advanced in vaccine research and that they had produced a vaccine that was ready for use. Xiaoming's comments sparked controversy, with some interpreting them as an indication that China was ahead of other countries in vaccine development. However, the Chinese embassy denied these claims, stating that China had only conducted clinical experiments on five potential vaccines. This incident highlighted the sensitive nature of US-China relations, particularly in the context of scientific exchange and vaccine development.
The US and China have also clashed over safety standards and transparency in scientific research. There have been reports of slack safety standards by bat researchers in Wuhan, China, which may have contributed to the emergence of COVID-19. Additionally, there have been incidents of Chinese nationals smuggling dangerous biological pathogens into the US, raising concerns about national security and the potential misuse of scientific research.
Despite these tensions, it is important to recognize the value of scientific exchange between the two countries. American universities have a long history of attracting talented researchers from around the world, including from China. This exchange of ideas and expertise has contributed to groundbreaking innovations, such as mRNA technology, which played a crucial role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
Moving forward, it will be crucial for the US and China to find a balance between healthy competition and collaborative scientific exchange. While protecting national security interests is essential, fostering an environment that encourages innovation, risk-taking, and global collaboration will ultimately benefit both countries in their efforts to address global health challenges and develop life-saving technologies.
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China's role in global vaccine distribution
China has played a significant role in global vaccine distribution, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, China's ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, claimed that his country was ''advanced in terms of research on a vaccine" and had produced a vaccine that was ready for use. This statement sparked controversy, as the Chinese embassy later altered his remarks in their official transcript.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the ambassador's comments, China has actively contributed to the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Chinese scientists were among the first to isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus and share its genetic sequence, enabling the development of vaccines worldwide. Additionally, China has supplied COVID-19 vaccines to numerous countries, particularly through its "vaccine diplomacy" initiatives.
In the past, U.S. and European firms played a role in upgrading China's manufacturing and technological landscape. However, China has since reformed its legal and institutional frameworks, particularly regarding intellectual property protection. As a result, domestic firms have increasingly turned to formal mechanisms of technology acquisition, as evidenced by the growing volume of royalty payments made by China to U.S. entities.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2020, China's ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, claimed that China had produced a vaccine that was ready for use. However, the Chinese embassy later altered his statement to say that China had conducted clinical experiments on five potential vaccines.
The US President at the time, Donald Trump, stated that COVID-19 was "mean and nasty" and vowed that "we are all going to take care of it together". The US also cut federal support for scientific and medical research in American universities.
While there is no evidence of direct involvement in US vaccines, there have been instances of Chinese nationals being charged with smuggling dangerous biological pathogens into the US for their work at a University of Michigan laboratory.
China has made significant advancements in science and technology, with eight of the top 10 scientific institutions now located in the country. However, there are concerns about a lack of safety standards in some research areas, such as bat research in Wuhan.
