It’s interesting to note how China’s vaccine distribution throughout the developing world also seems to align with the regions where China does the most trade. Southeast Asia is by far China’s top trading partner in the Global South, MENA is obviously important for its oil and gas supplies while South America, Brazil in particular, does a third more trade with China than Africa does.

That said, conclusions about how China’s political and economic agenda correlates with its vaccine distribution priorities remain entirely speculative. Chinese officials have not revealed what the criteria are for countries to receive vaccines.