Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, speaks during a news conference via video link in Beijing on March 3, 2021. (ZHU XINGXIN/CHINADAILY.COM.CN)

BEIJING - It is "narrow-minded" to perceive China's provision of COVID-19 vaccines and related assistance to other countries as a tool for gaining geopolitical influence, a spokesperson for the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said Wednesday.

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China has sworn to provide vaccines as a global public good, and encourages Chinese companies to collaborate with other countries when developing and producing vaccines. 

Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC

As of the end of February, China had provided COVID-19-related assistance to 69 countries and two international organizations, as well as exported vaccines to 28 countries, spokesperson Guo Weimin added during a news briefing. "These numbers are also growing."

"Vaccine is a crucial tool in our effort to prevent, control and ultimately overcome the pandemic, as well as an important subject for international anti-pandemic cooperation," he said.

"China has sworn to provide vaccines as a global public good, and encourages Chinese companies to collaborate with other countries when developing and producing vaccines."

China has also joined COVAX, a global initiative aimed at promoting equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

"China engaging in international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines is for helping the global community overcome the pandemic. It is a manifestation of the principles of building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

A handover ceremony of a batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China is held at Noor Khan Air Base near Islamabad, Pakistan, Feb 1, 2021. (LIU TIAN/XINHUA)

Guo said the COVID-19 pandemic is still ravaging many countries. "China is willing to work with other nations to tackle and prevail over the pandemic as soon as possible, and contribute more to protecting the lives and health of people around the world."

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Guo said China always puts the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines first, adding that more than 52 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of the end of February.

China's technical standards of application for market rollout and conditional market approval meet requirements of the World Health Organization and a number of developed countries, said Guo.

With Xinhua inputs