A number of Argentine media reported on the 24th that Argentina would replace Clay Coral, its ambassador to China, due to “weak procurement of Chinese vaccines” and “going to Hainan Island for a holiday at a critical moment in the negotiation of procurement”. The Argentine news website “Infobae” said on the 24th that Clerkler denied the accusations in an interview with the media, saying that he did not leave Beijing for vacation on Hainan Island, and “no one told me that I must return to Argentina.” Argentine media also believed that the incident was related to internal conflicts within the government and was a “government diplomatic scandal.”
Argentina’s “Clarion” stated that Argentina’s plan to purchase 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from China was still inconclusive, and the Afghan government decided to replace the “badly negotiated” Clerkler. This decision will be announced in the official announcement. Once replaced, Clay Coral must return to Argentina within 45 days. According to reports, the ambassador was also accused of going to Hainan Island for vacation at this sensitive time. “Infobae” stated that Clay Correll denied having left Beijing, “I have not been to any island.”
According to the Clarion, Clay Correll is a long-term professional diplomat. He was appointed as the ambassador to China in January this year and received certain support from Vice President Christina. But for a long time, Clerkler had a “very bad relationship” with Argentine Foreign Minister Sola, and he had a tough political opponent at the Argentine Embassy in Beijing from the beginning. According to the report, Kleichler had reached a memorandum of understanding with China Sinopharm for the supply of millions of vaccines on the purchase of vaccines, but instead of reporting to Sola, he reported to the Minister of Health.
“Infobae” stated that Clay Correll told the media that he was a person who kept his promise, “I have a good record and follow instructions.” He said that he will hold a video conference with Sinopharm Group and Kexing Company to promote vaccine procurement negotiations.
The Argentine government’s goal is to vaccinate 15 million people by the end of March next year, including medical staff, military police and teachers, seniors over 60, and people aged 18 to 59 with diseases. It is expected to receive 5 million doses per month. . “Infobae” stated that Argentina has confirmed that it will purchase 19.7 million doses of the Russian “Satellite V” vaccine, 22 million doses of Oxford vaccine and 9 million doses of vaccines provided by the WHO-led “COVID-19 Vaccine Access Mechanism”, but it will purchase from China No progress has been made in vaccine negotiations.
The Clarion reported that the struggles and “gossip news” in the foreign service will further complicate the relationship between the ambassador and the foreign minister. There is also concern that this will affect the relationship between Argentina and China. “Infobae” said that currently Argentina has only delivered about 300,000 doses of Russian vaccines, Oxford vaccine production has been delayed, and Pfizer’s vaccine procurement agreement has not yet been completed. If the ambassador to China leaves, it will be difficult to further substantively advance the negotiation of vaccine purchase without an ambassador.