WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) – The United States is ready to help China deal with a surge in COVID-19 infections if Beijing asks for help, the White House said on Wednesday.
John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesman, told reporters that China had not asked for help at this stage.
“We’ve said we’re ready to help in any way they can. That was true when the pandemic was raging, and it’s true now,” Kirby told reporters.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week that US and Chinese officials have discussed COVID-19 and that different countries’ responses to the pandemic were discussed at US-China meetings, but did not provide details.
“I want to give an opportunity for us to be able to have that conversation in a sensitive diplomatic channel. And we will see what, if anything, comes out of it,” he said.
China Meheco Group Co Ltd ( 600056.SS ) said on Wednesday it signed a deal with U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc ( PFE.N ) to import and distribute its oral COVID-19 drug Paxlovid in mainland China, as the country braces for a surge. Patients after scaling back the “zero COVID” policy. read more
Pfizer has signed a deal in August for Chinese drugmaker Zhejiang Huahai <600521.SS. to produce Paxlovid in mainland China only for patients there.
China began moving away from its “zero COVID” policy just this month, following protests against the economically damaging curve that President Xi Jinping has championed. The change raised concerns about a surge in COVID cases.
Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu and Michael Martina
Editing by Alistair Bell
