São Paulo Governor Says Bolsonaro’s Attacks Create Uneasiness with Chinese Government

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo Governor João Doria considers that there is “clear uneasiness on the part of the Chinese government with the Brazilian government”.

During a press conference on Wednesday, January 20th, Doria said it was “a fact,” “clear and obvious,” that there was displeasure because of “so many attacks uttered and led by President Jair Bolsonaro against China and the ‘Chinese vaccine’, supported by his two sons, Carlos and Eduardo.”

“That is why Chamber President Rodrigo Maia has gone to meet today with the Chinese Ambassador, even if online,” added Doria. As reported by Maia after the meeting with the Chinese diplomat in Brazil, Yang Wanming, there is no political obstacle, but rather a technical barrier to the import of raw materials. However, Doria said: “Perhaps the ambassador, being an extremely polite and diplomatic man, will not officially say so at this time, but he himself reacted in a public letter to the attacks that the Chinese government suffered.”

Challenges in importing doses and raw materials from China for national production and bottling of vaccines compromise the vaccination schedule, at the risk of interrupting the immunization campaign. According to the governor, there are no restrictions on trade or competition, nor any difficulties in the relations of the São Paulo government to import the doses from China. “In order to export vaccines, the Sinovac laboratory needs the Chinese government’s authorization. This is unquestionable and, by the way, reasonable when faced with a pandemic,” said the governor.

Doria also demanded that the federal government, the President’s son deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro and the Brazilian Foreign Ministry overcome this “uneasiness ” and called for “respect” from President Jair Bolsonaro in his dealings with China. “This is not the time to clash,” said Doria. “We need raw materials to save Brazilians,” he added.