Galvez: PH to set aside WPS differences with China for COVID-19 cooperation

Updated Fri, January 22, 2021 at 10:50 PM Published Fri, January 22, 2021 at 11:59 AM

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. stated that the Philippines should set aside differences with China on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the context of global cooperation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed surprise and disagreement with Galvez's statement, emphasizing that acquiring vaccines should not involve compromising the country's maritime rights.

Galvez later clarified that the government will not compromise its stake in the WPS.

Hontiveros sought reassurance that the Philippines' national interest in the WPS would not be diminished, even in vaccine procurement negotiations with China.

She also noted that public confidence in Chinese vaccines might be affected by China's "vaccine diplomacy."

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