Malacañang is hopeful that China will consider donating some of its coronavirus vaccines to the country due to the Philippines’ closeness with the Chinese government under President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Philippines has already secured 25 million doses of vaccines from China’s Sinovac.

“I don’t know about the terms and conditions but of course, we expect that it will be paid but let’s see, maybe, just maybe, I’m just speculating, China will donate some of it. Let’s see,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media briefing.

Roque said that  Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting the country and the issue on vaccine supply may be discussed.

“Because their Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi is coming, I don’t know what he will say but many of us are praying that perhaps, some of these vaccines can be donated. After all, we do have very close relations with China,” he went on.

Roque said 50,000 doses of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the country in February.

The government is expected to get 25 million vaccines from China by the end of the year. (TDT)