China joins COVAX coronavirus vaccine alliance

Description

Context: China, which has four coronavirus vaccine candidates in stage 3 clinical trials, is joining the coronavirus vaccine alliance known as COVAX.

The country signed an agreement with GAVI, the co-leader of the alliance.
It is not yet clear the exact terms of the agreement and how China will contribute.

COVAX vaccine alliance

The alliance is designed so that richer countries agree to buy into potential vaccines and help finance access for poorer ones.
US had declined to join the alliance.
It is an alliance of governments, global health organisations, manufacturers, scientists, private sector, civil society and philanthropy, with the aim of providing innovative and equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.
It is the only effort to ensure that people in all corners of the world will get access to COVID-19 vaccines once they are available, regardless of their wealth.
It is coordinated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the WHO
COVAX will act as a platform that will support the research, development and manufacturing of a wide range of COVID-19 vaccine candidates, and negotiate their pricing.
All participating countries, regardless of income levels, will have equal access to these vaccines once they are developed.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-joins-covax-coronavirus-vaccine-alliance/article32809915.ece?homepage=true

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/covax-explained