China has announced a plan to provide 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses to developing nations through the global Covax initiative.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China is responding to a request from the World Health Organisation as developing countries seek to fill shortages predicted to run through March.

“We hope countries in international society with the capability will swing into action, support Covax through practical actions, support the work of the World Health Organisation, assist developing countries in obtaining vaccines in a timely manner and contribute to international society’s conquering the pandemic at an early date,” Wang said a daily briefing, according to an AP report.