MapInfluenCE analyst Ivana Karásková was interviewed in multiple French language outlets on issues stemming from China’s flop at its 17+1 meeting in mid-February and the modicum of success it is already achieving in vaccine diplomacy.
“China has something that all countries want. We find ourselves in the same situation as last spring when China launched its ‘mask diplomacy’. Today it is leading a ‘vaccine diplomacy’. But unlike last year, China is not the only producer and distributor of vaccines. So there is very significant competition. In the Czech Republic, we haven’t heard much about Chinese vaccines, we mostly talk about the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. There are several reasons: Russian and Chinese efforts are not the same. Russia has also focused on regions where there is competition with Western vaccines. China has focused on countries on the periphery, on its allies and on developing countries. Another possible reason: cultural proximity or not. Most politicians in the former Eastern bloc countries have personal experience with Russian vaccines, and many scientists have expressed confidence in Russian research institutes, rather than in China. However, neither the Russian vaccine, nor the Chinese vaccines have been approved, neither by the European Medicines Agency, nor by the equivalent agency in the Czech Republic. “
Ivana Karaskova for Radio Prague (English Translation)
For her thoughts on the vaccine issue in Radio Prague’s French language broadcast, click here.
For her one on one interview on the aims China has in CEE nations after 17+1 with French outlet Le Courrier d’Europe centrale, click here.
Image source: US Navy Photo (Creative Commons)
