China, Asean countries to hold special meeting on COVID-19 outbreak

BEIJING — A special meeting on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) will be held between China and Asean countries in response to the outbreak.

The event, which will be attended by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi and his counterparts from Asean, is scheduled between Wednesday (Feb 19) and Friday (Feb 21) in Vientiane, Laos.

Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Wang Yi would discuss about China’s forceful measures on countering the epidemic at the event.

“He will also discuss with his counterparts on strengthening the joint prevention and control measures against the deadly virus,” he added.

Geng Shuang said the meeting would also explore ideas on the setting up of a long-term and effective collaboration mechanism on public health to safeguard the people in this region.

“Since the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak, China and Asean countries have been in close communication.

“For the two sides to hold a special meeting within such a short period has shown our determination in supporting each other through the difficulties,” he said at a press conference here on Monday (Feb 17).

He added that a special Asean-China leaders’ meeting was also carried out during the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2003.

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