Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at a virtual global vaccine summit on June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the global vaccine summit via video link on June 4.

Facing the unprecedented epidemic, he said, China has been sticking to the principles of "people-oriented" and "life first", and after painstaking efforts, the country has turned the tide on the virus but is far from putting it to an end. Every country is involved, and no one is spared.

At the recent World Health Assembly, President Xi Jinping proposed the building of a public health community for mankind, and came up with advice and measures to strengthen anti-epidemic international cooperation. China will continue to provide support to countries, especially developing countries in their fight against the virus and the resumption of economic and social operations.

With the still-spreading epidemic and severe challenge, a vaccine is a strong shield against the invading virus, Premier Li said, adding China will continue to support the World Health Organization's core role in coordinating vaccine research and development.

He said China will also help promote the vaccine's multicenter clinical trials, and put research results into use and onto the market as soon as possible, providing a high-quality product that is safe, efficient and shareable around the globe. The country will also make the vaccine accessible and affordable in developing countries.

Premier Li said China has been intensifying research efforts for breakthroughs in COVID-19 vaccines, effective medicines and testing reagents, and has attached great importance to international cooperation in vaccine R&D.

The Premier said the country has recently participated in an international pledging conference hosted by the European Union and others in response to the epidemic, and is willing to further cooperate in this regard.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) used to fund China's vaccinations, support international application of China's vaccines and has maintained good cooperation with China, the Premier said.

Under the COVID-19 epidemic challenge, the Chinese government is willing to donate to GAVI, encourage Chinese R&D organizations and vaccine manufacturers to further coordinate with GAVI and support GAVI to promote vaccine utilization, Premier Li added.

Only hand-in-hand can the world win the battle against the epidemic, the Premier said.

The summit was held to raise funds for GAVI, ensure accessibility of vaccines and in particular, financially support the organization to accelerate the R&D, production and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants included leaders from more than 30 countries, as well as heads of international organizations such as the United Nations and World Health Organization.