U.S., July 12 -- The Chinese consul-general in Alexandria, Jiao Li Ying, has confirmed his country's pledge that Egypt will be among the first African countries to benefit from a Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccine once it is ready.

The consul, speaking on June 30, also affirmed Beijing's commitment to cooperate with Cairo and various other African capitals to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 75,000 Egyptians have come down with the disease, and about 3,000 have died.

Previously, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, condemned what he termed "racist remarks" made on French television by a pair of scientists who said new vaccines should be tested in Africa.

The WHO director said back on...