Li says Mekong countries will be among first to get COVID-19 vaccine

China will prioritize access to countries along the Mekong River to its COVID-19 vaccines once they were developed successfully and put to commercial use, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday.

The premier, speaking via video link at the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation leaders' meeting, said China will set up a public health fund under the framework of the special funding for LMC as part of a host of measures, including in resources and technology, to help Mekong countries contain the pandemic. 

He also called upon LMC countries to work together in supporting the World Health Organization to play a better role.