China’s Vaccine Diplomacy in the Philippines and Thailand: Problems and Prospects
REGIONAL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR
About the Webinar
This webinar will be the third and final part of the series on China’s vaccine diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Mr Lucio Pitlo will examine the appeal of China’s vaccine diplomacy in the Philippines, the gains obtained by both sides, concerns, and the challenges to Beijing’s vaccine outreach to its neighbouring country. Dr Paul Busbarat will discuss the complexity of China’s vaccine diplomacy in Thailand which has been complicated by three factors. The first is the United States’ domestic recovery and active vaccine diplomacy upon the arrival of the Biden administration. Second, China’s assertive attempts to protect the standing of its vaccines in Thailand’s vaccine procurement and third, the affected reputation of Chinese vaccines due to the recurrence of an outbreak after the Thai New Year holiday.
This webinar is supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
About the Speakers
Mr Lucio Blanco Pitlo III is a Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies. He was a lecturer on Chinese Studies at Ateneo de Manila University and International Studies at De La Salle University. He was formerly a technical assistant with the National Coast Watch Council Secretariat under the Office of the President. He also served as a research associate and consultant for several projects on maritime issues and Philippine foreign policy. He obtained his Master of Laws from Peking University and completing his MA in International Affairs from American University in Washington D.C.
Dr Pongphisoot (Paul) Busbarat is Assistant Professor in International Relations at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. His research interests include great power competition in Southeast Asia (esp. the Mekong subregion), norms and identity in IR, and Thailand’s foreign policy. Ongoing research projects include normative constructs influencing Thailand’s strategic choices between the US and China, the diffusion of the China Model in Thailand’s politics and economic development, and China’s leadership consolidation in the Mekong subregion. Dr Busbarat holds a PhD in Political Science & IR from the ANU and postgraduate degrees from Columbia University and Cambridge University. He also served as a policy analyst at Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) office prior to his academic career.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
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