The onslaught of COVID-19 has posed a major challenge to global public health and economy. Science, technology and innovation is the most effective weapon in humanity’s battle against diseases, with vaccine providing an ultimate shield against COVID-19. The development of COVID-19 vaccines is a costly, challenging process. The current outbreak of the pandemic across the world has made vaccines all the more needed. In the face of this new challenge, it is imperative to pool global efforts to accelerate vaccine development and production through pragmatic and effective cooperation. To this end, Ye Dongbai, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation.

The signing of the MoU is of great significance for promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and CEPI in the field of epidemic preparedness and innovation. According to the memorandum, the two sides will work together in epidemic preparedness and response, including supporting scientific research projects in the field of public health, and conducting vaccine research and development. In the future, the two sides will tap into their respective strengths to share experience and practices of research on COVID-19 and strengthen the sharing of scientific data and information; enhance cooperation among COVID-19 vaccine developers, select and support promising and mature projects that give full play to each other's advantages; boost communication and policy coordination with regulators; and create synergy with other governments, international organizations, and bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the fields of science, technology and health.

(Source: Ministry of Science and Technology of China)