China on US vaccine commitment, US, EU talks

China said on Tuesday it welcomed the U.S. commitment to share an additional 20 million coronavirus vaccines with the vaccine sharing program run by the World Health Organization, but decried its attempts to discredit Beijing's efforts to help.

"It is disgraceful that the U.S. side kept making an issue of China when it comes to vaccines, and it casts doubt on the true purpose and motive of the U.S." Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Monday that the U.S. would up its commitment from 60 million doses to 80 million doses in the coming six weeks.

While announcing the new commitment, Biden added that, compared to other countries like Russia and China that have sought to leverage their domestically produced doses, "we will not use our vaccines to secure favors from other countries."

Zhao said Tuesday that China would not act like the U.S. whom he accused of "chanting slogans without actions."

"China does not provide vaccines or anti-epidemic supplies to foreign countries in exchange for favors from other countries, nor do we have any geopolitical purpose or attach any political strings," Zhao said.

Zhao also criticized the U.S. and EU for their joint statement issued on Monday that they would hold China to account for its adoption of distorting trade policies in the steel market.

He accused the two sides of "forming cliques against China" and reaffirmed Beijing's compliance with World Trade Organization rules.