CANBERRA (Australia) - Australia denied Tuesday the claims of media and government sources that China was interfering with the rollout Chinese vaccines in Papua New Guinea.The conflict over vaccine diplomacy is another rift in bilateral relationships. Relations plummeted last summer when Australia demanded an independent investigation into COVID-19's origins and responses.In March, Australia became the first country in Papua New Guinea to offer vaccines. This was because of the rapid rise in infection rates in Australia's former colony and Australia’s closest neighbor.On June 23, Papua New Guinea received 200,000 doses the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccination. According to the Papua New Guinea government, the Sinopharm vaccine will initially be distributed to Chinese citizens.Global Times, an English-language newspaper by the Chinese Communist Party, accused Australia of sending consultants to Papua New Guinea in order to undermine China's cooperation with Pacific island nations on vaccines.During a visit to the South Pacific island country, the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seeselja refuted the accusations."When it comes down to rollout, we were focusing on just making sure we provide as much assistance as possible. Seselja said that other countries are welcome to offer assistance in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.These issues are being dealt with in good faith. We will continue to do what is in the best interests of our region, and our friends, and especially Papua New Guinea.Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, supported the Global Times criticism. He stated Monday that China expressed its concern and resolute resistance to Australia's irresponsible behaviour.One Australian citizen is manipulating, bullying, and coercing others with the vaccine issue. Wang stated in Mandarin that it is not concerned about the health and lives of people in Papua New Guinea. This is contrary to the humanitarian spirit and severely disrupts the global fight against the epidemic.Continue the storyOur vaccine supply is not subject to any geopolitical or political constraints. Wang said that Australia should stop threatening and undermining China's cooperation with Pacific island nations on vaccines and to join China in practical efforts to protect the health and well being of the people of the islands and to promote international cooperation in combating the epidemic.Rainbo Paita, Papua New Guinea's Planning Minister, had thanked Australia and China for their assistance in the pandemic.Australia provided almost 30,000 doses of AstraZeneca to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea also received 132,000 doses AstraZeneca via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (or COVAX) facility.Papua New Guinea residents in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, complained last week that the Sinopharm vaccine was only available to Chinese. The Post-Courier newspaper from Port Moresby reported.Receiving countries are concerned that China's vaccine diplomacy could come at a price. China denies this.Beijing promised the vaccines first in February. However, Papua New Guinea didn't approve Sinopharm for emergency use before May.Australia promised Tuesday to share as many as 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine with East Timor and Pacific island neighbours.Papua New Guinea has almost 9 million inhabitants, most of whom live in traditional villages.The pandemic has caused more than 17,000 deaths and 173 infections, but it is not possible to determine the true extent of the epidemic due to a lack of testing.
