Drilon says US can use 'vaccine diplomacy' to compete with China on world influence

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said the United States must compete with China in terms of world influence using “vaccine diplomacy.”

Interviewed on ANC, Drilon noted China's supposed moves to extend its influence not only in Asia but all over the world.

“They (US) can compete with China and do exactly what China is doing, if they want to do so: vaccine diplomacy,” Drilon said.

“China is an economic power today and will continue to exert its influence not only over this part of the world but worldwide. What is there for the US? They should compete with China insofar as world influence is concerned and one available venue is vaccines,” he added.

The Philippines, which enjoys warm diplomatic ties with China, has received 1 million donated doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine from the Asia's powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the United States has offered the Philippines, its longtime ally, its excess COVID-19 vaccine, which will be released once they finish the inoculation of its citizens.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently said China remains to be the country’s “benefactor” amid the tension in the West Philippine Sea. —KBK, GMA News