China Does Not Serve Foreign Requests After Vaccines Arrive In Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun (left) puts flowers on the left chest of the Assistant Minister of Chinese Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao (Irfan Ilmie / Antara)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government stated that it would not serve requests submitted by other countries after the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Indonesia for the time being.

This was revealed in a conversation between China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao and the Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun in Beijing, Wednesday, December 9, evening.

"The third phase of clinical trials has shown satisfactory results. Currently, it is just a matter of waiting for approval to be marketed in China. While waiting for the approval, we do not serve requests from other countries, except those that have arrived in Indonesia because it has become our priority," said Wu. Between, Thursday, December 10.

The delivery of the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Sinovac, he continued, was in accordance with Chinese President Xi Jinping's commitment to Indonesian President Joko Widodo some time ago.

Although China's diplomatic relations with Indonesia have experienced ups and downs, Wu sees a significant increase in cooperation in recent years.

"Tonight, let me congratulate the 75th Indonesian Independence Day. I know the struggle of the Indonesian people is persistent enough to lead to independence," he said.

This year is the 70th year of Indonesia's diplomatic relations with China. In 1965-1990, relations between the two countries were frozen.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Djauhari thanked the Chinese government for prioritizing vaccines for Indonesia.

"Indeed, currently Indonesia is in need of the vaccine," said the former Indonesian Ambassador to Russia.

At the reception for the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, Wu Jianghao was the guest of honor. After giving a speech in English, the Ambassador invited Wu to take the stage of honor to toast together, which was followed by invited guests.

The event was also attended by a number of representatives of the Indonesian government and BUMN in China, friendly countries, Indonesian businessmen in China, Chinese businessmen investing in Indonesia, Chinese citizens who have ties to Indonesia, representatives of Chinese media, and other elements of society.

After the banquet, the event was continued with traditional Indonesian dances performed by overseas Chinese families who returned from Indonesia in the 1950s and entertainment by the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing.

The event became more lively when Ambassador Djauhari invited representatives of friendly countries to dance together accompanied by the songs Poco-Poco and Tobelo.

Every year the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing scheduled a reception for the Republic of Indonesia's Anniversary between September and December. The same event was held in Beijing in September 2019. Two years ago the reception was held in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia, in December as well.