The United States delivered 2.5 million Covid-19 vaccines to Taiwan, more than tripling its allocation to the island state as it faces an increase in local infections.
The U.S., in competition with China to bolster influence through "vaccine diplomacy," had initially pledged to donate 750,000 doses to Taiwan but increased that volume as President Joe Biden's administration pushes forward with its promise to ship 80 million American-produced shots globally.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said the increased doses from the U.S. are a "moving gesture of friendship." Tsai has come under pressure domestically to get more vaccines distributed to the people.
The U.S. plans to distribute 200 million shots this year and another 300 million in 2022 to 92 nations, including the African Union.
"What a sight! What a gesture!" Joseph Wu, Taiwan's foreign minister, thanked the U.S. on Twitter, The Guardian said.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its sovereignty, has repeatedly offered to give vaccines to the island.
But Taiwan has been skeptical about the safety of China-made vaccines and even accused China of blocking its efforts to procure vaccines overseas.
"We're not allocating these vaccines based on political or economic conditions. We are donating these doses with the singular goal of saving lives," U.S. State Department representative Ned Price said in remarks quoted by Business World.
According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, around 45% of Americans have been fully immunized.
Taiwan has administered six doses per 100,000 people. More than 2 billion vaccines have been administered worldwide.
"The Taiwan-U.S. relationship is rock solid, and we will keep cooperating closely in combating Covid-19. Forces for goodwill prevail!" Taiwan's foreign minister said.
