Corona vaccines: Sputnik V and Sinopharm: How China and Russia are doing politics with vaccines

In the Corona crisis, China and Russia are trying to expand their influence in the world with vaccine deliveries. They benefit from the US withdrawal.

There is a shortage of vaccines against the corona virus not only in Europe. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has already vaccinated every third resident of the country and is therefore in second place behind Israel, had to postpone vaccination dates because there are supply problems with the preparation from Biontech / Pfizer. But unlike many countries, the UAE has an alternative: The authorities are now additionally vaccinating with the preparation from the Chinese manufacturer Sinopharm. With support
Chinese the UAE is well on its way to becoming the “Middle East Vaccination Center”, reported the Chinese newspaper Global Times. Because the UAE and
Egypt, which received Sinopharm vaccine from the Emirates, are among the closest Arab partners of
USA in the region.

Countries like Iraq, Jordan or Bahrain do not rely on western vaccines

Like the UAE, the
Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain to reduce their dependence on western products. The
Turkey relies entirely on China and only inoculates the preparation from Sinovac, another Chinese manufacturer. There are also customers for the Russian vaccine Sputnik V: Der
Iran waiting for the first delivery. Revolutionary leader Ali Khamenei has banned other vaccines on the grounds that he does not trust the West. Tunisia, Algeria, UAE and Palestine have also approved the Russian agent.

In Turkey, the VisCoran company wants to manufacture and distribute the Russian vaccine under license. Exports to other countries are possible as soon as Turkish needs are met, it is said. When agreeing with
Russia the Turks are hoping for the technology transfer, which western manufacturers usually do not admit: Iran wants to manufacture Sputnik V itself, the UAE the Sinopharm preparation.

Russian and Chinese vaccines can be stored in the refrigerator

Access to modern medical know-how is only one of the advantages for customers in Russia and China: the vaccines can be stored in normal refrigerators and are significantly cheaper, the recipient countries do not have to argue about scarce quantities. China and Russia can open up new markets for their pharmaceutical industries, which would probably not be so easy to achieve without a pandemic. Above all, however, Beijing and Moscow can increase their “soft power” – that is, influence through diplomacy, culture or the economy – in the Middle East. Both countries use their vaccines as “diplomatic tools” in competition with the US, the online newspaper commented The New Arab.

China is an important country for the region anyway: Middle East countries supply almost half of China’s oil imports. In return, Chinese companies are building infrastructure projects worth billions, such as tunnels, airports and railway lines. In China’s strategic plan for a “New Silk Road”, the Middle East is important as the hinge between China, Africa and Europe.

Russia benefits from the US withdrawal

The pandemic opens up new opportunities for Beijing. First, China sent medical supplies such as masks to many countries, but now the country is quickly on hand with vaccines. Russia is also interested in closer relations with the Middle East. So far Moscow has primarily supplied nuclear technology in addition to weapons: Russian companies are building the first nuclear power plants in Turkey and Egypt. In addition, Russia – for example in Syria – is benefiting from the US withdrawal.

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