The Chinese state bank China Citic Bank International in Hong Kong offers customers mRNA vaccine if they make a deposit of 4 million Hong Kong dollars (about $512,000 or 477,000 euros), as it aims to attract customers from mainland China, who until now have only had access to locally produced vaccines. The BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine is not widely available on the mainland, but has long been available free of charge to permanent residents, the Financial Times reports. Hong Kong and his MacauHow Beijing allowed the two regions to pursue different vaccination strategies. China Citic Bank International’s proposal, which comes after the lifting of mainland China’s cross-border restrictions with Hong Kong, shows Chinese citizens’ desire for Western vaccines despite official criticism. China is seeing a surge in infections following Beijing’s sudden abandonment of its zero-tolerance policy last month.

The bank said that if new or existing customers deposit HK$4 million in new funds, they are eligible to receive the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine. Other benefits for account holders include access to a hepatitis B vaccine, which is endemic in China, as well as a free Bentley test drive and discounts at the city’s Four Seasons Hotel, popular with the mainland’s elite. The Chinese government has repeatedly touted the effectiveness of local vaccines, many of which are based on old technologies, while refusing to allow Western vaccines to be distributed. Several Chinese media outlets have criticized and repeatedly questioned the safety of BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccines.

Meanwhile, other services have emerged in Hong Kong in recent weeks to meet demand for the mRNA vaccine, according to the FT report.

Beijing refuses to allow the distribution of Western vaccines and supports the effectiveness of Chinese drugs.

Private clinics and some private hospitals offer vaccines for up to HK$2,800 (US$359) per dose. Virtus Medical Group, which will offer vaccines to customers from Jan. 16, said it has received “hundreds” of vaccine applications. Travel services group Easson Holdings also sells package tours that include vaccinations.

Chinese distributor of BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccines, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaeutical Group, last Friday began accepting orders from distributors in mainland China who want to distribute vaccines in Hong Kong, the Financial Times reported. The company charges a $44 booking fee before allowing users to choose when to cash out.

However, in recent months, several tourists from the mainland have been heading to Macau to receive mRNA vaccines to fight the coronavirus pandemic. As reported by CNBC, even if patients tried to make an appointment in mid-December, the next available time for tourists to be vaccinated at the Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital was no later than February.