Taiwan council's slander of mainland COVID-19 vaccine groundless: spokesperson

BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday condemned Taiwan's mainland affairs council's slander targeting COVID-19 vaccines produced on the mainland.

Maliciously defaming mainland-produced vaccines reveals the council's neglect of the well-being of Taiwan people and serves the sole purpose of provoking confrontation, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, when asked about the issue.

The Chinese mainland has always given top priority to safety and efficacy in its research, development and production of vaccines, said Zhu, adding that as of the end of 2020, more than 4.5 million doses of mainland-produced vaccines have been administered.

Zhu said that the mainland will arrange COVID-19 vaccination for all, including Taiwan compatriots who are willing to receive the jab, once vaccine production is able to better meet the demand.