China and U.S. share tech in ASEAN for vaccine diplomacy edge

Drugmakers test new COVID-19 shots in region with eye on local production

20210924N Indonesia vaccine

A healthcare worker in Jakarta holds up a vial of the Sinopharm vaccine. Chinese and U.S. companies are conducting clinical trials for new alternatives in Indonesia. © Reuters

KOYA JIBIKI and TOMOYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writers

JAKARTA/HANOI -- Vaccine diplomacy by China and the U.S. has entered a new stage as their drugmakers transfer technology to players in Southeast Asia to kick-start local production.

The region has welcomed these efforts, since it provides a greater boost to the pharmaceutical industry there and creates more jobs than shipments of ready-for-use coronavirus jabs. Some companies have even begun testing vaccines in Southeast Asia that have yet to receive authorization in the countries in which they were produced.

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