Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will host the first meeting of an international forum on COVID-19 vaccine cooperation on August 5, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian announced Thursday. 
  
Zhao said the meeting, which will be held via video link, is themed on strengthening COVID-19 vaccine cooperation and promoting the equitable and appropriate distribution of vaccines. 
  
About 30 parties, including ministers from relevant countries, representatives of the United Nations and other international organizations and enterprise representatives, will attend the meeting, Zhao said. 
  
As part of the meeting, an international cooperation dialogue will be held on Thursday between China and vaccine companies attending the meeting, he said. 

China proposed setting up an international forum on vaccine cooperation at the Global Health Summit in May. 

(With input from Xinhua) 

(Cover: A medical worker prepares a dose of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine at a health center in Damascus, Syria, July 13, 2021. /Xinhua)