Locsin thanks US for COVID-19 vaccines donation

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday thanked the United States for sharing its excess COVID-19 vaccines to nations who have insufficient supply.

"I’ve heard American apologies for over-ordering vaccines; but I thank America for it," Locsin said in his omnibus intervention at the Special ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers' meeting.

"If it hadn’t over-ordered there wouldn’t be the excess it is now giving away to governments that didn’t order enough or at all.  Or, more sadly, didn’t have the means," he further pointed out.

The US had said it would provide a total of 16 million shots to countries in East Asia and Pacific Region, including the Philippines, through the COVAX facility.

In mid-July, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced, the Philippines will receive  3,024,000 shots of Johnson & Johnson vaccines donated by the US.

'Free for all democracy works'

In the same speech, Locsin hailed the American government for its vaccination program, adding that it proves that democracy works.

"Within two months of the new administration, 200 million Americans were vaccinated; it is now over 300 million.  Free for all democracy works," the country's top diplomat said.

He further pointed out that countries under autocracy are "falling all over the place."

"That’s the end of the autocratic argument.  Autocracies, elected or imposed, are falling all over the place," said Locsin.

China, on the other hand, disagreed with this as it questioned the performance of "Western democracies" in COVID-19 response.

"Just take a look at the so-called Western democracies. How are they doing in the fight against COVID-19? Which country holds the world record in both infection and death tally?" Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in his regular press conference on Wednesday in reaction to Locsin's remarks.

He further pointed out that he has nothing to envy with countries under democracy, citing "racial discrimination" in these countries.

"Look at the grave racism, racial discrimination and other human rights issues in these countries, which I talked about in detail just now. If these are the perks that come with being a "democracy", as a Chinese, I see nothing to envy," he pointed out.

South China Sea, MDF

The Philippines also welcomed the United States government's recent support for the 2016 arbitral award that favored the Philippines' claims in the West Philippine Sea.

"It is binding international law and the most authoritative application of UNCLOS on the maritime entitlements of features in the South China Sea," Locsin said.

"As such, it contributes to the rules-based order in ASEAN and benefits all the countries that use the vital artery that is the South China Sea.  The rest is bluster," he further pointed out.

Likewise, Locsin thanked America for its reaffirmation in defending the Philippines from attacks in the country's territorial waters.

"We thank America for its reaffirmation with greater clarity of the protection to Philippine sovereignty by the Mutual Defense Treaty.  In the Southeast Asian context, that translates to keeping the peace and maintaining stability without pointless distractions," foreign affairs chief said. -- BAP, GMA News