An online ceremony, hosted by China's Ministry of Science and Technology, was held to launch the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development (R&D) Center on March 22, marking another solid step forward in strengthening cooperation in public health among BRICS countries.

　　During the ceremony, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said that China will work with other BRICS countries to use the center's launch as an opportunity to promote exchanges and cooperation on vaccine R&D and testing, construction of plants and mutual recognition of standards among BRICS countries.

　　As the chair of BRICS this year, China is willing to work with all sides to deepen BRICS partnerships, centering on the theme of "Forming a high-quality partnership to jointly create a new era of global development," and deliver hope and confidence for global economic recovery, said Wang.

　　The BRICS Vaccine R&D Center will bridge universities, institutes, health authorities and the industry to promote innovation on vaccine R&D, so that BRICS countries could perform better in future epidemic prevention and control, said Wang.

　　At the ceremony, BRICS countries jointly proposed an initiative to ensure the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries through their equitable distribution as global public goods, while also aiming to improve BRICS countries' capability to control infectious diseases and respond to public health events.