Palace: Duterte, Xi discuss vaccine development, production amid COVID-19 pandemic

President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday had a 45-minute phone conversation which Malacañang described as "warm, open, and productive."

In a statement, the Palace said Xi and Duterte  mentioned the possible collaboration between the two countries on vaccine development and production.

"In particular, China would continue to support the Duterte administration's Build, Build, Build infrastructure program and the Philippines' efforts to defeat COVID-19, including through a possible joint collaboration on vaccine development and production, President Xi elaborated," Malacañang said.

Duterte thanked China for its assistance in the country's response versus COVID-19.

He called for grater collaboration in the public health sector, particularly on vaccine development and production.

Duterte has repeatedly thanked Xi and China for their support in the COVID-19 response particularly in making millions of vaccines available to the Philippines. —NB, GMA News