China's Top Two Leaders Actively Engage in Phone Diplomacy on Novel Coronavirus... Asia Turns Away

-New Coronavirus Cases Surge in Asia Region...
-China's Top Two Diplomats Focus on Western Countries, Middle East, and Africa

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have engaged in telephone diplomacy, holding successive calls with the leaders of the United States and Germany. However, Asian countries, which are the hardest hit regions by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) originating from China, have been largely ignored, drawing criticism.

On the 10th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed on its website that President Xi and Premier Li had exchanged phone calls with heads of state from around the world amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, demonstrating that diplomatic activities remain active even in times of crisis.

In a call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the afternoon of the previous day, Premier Li explained China’s efforts to control the novel coronavirus and the measures taken to prevent its spread, exchanging views.

He stated, "The measures we have taken so far far exceed the requirements of the 'National Health Regulations' and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO)," adding, "The Chinese government and people are confident and capable of overcoming the fight against the novel coronavirus." Chancellor Merkel reportedly responded by saying, "Germany hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in controlling the novel coronavirus and will continue to support medical supplies, wishing China success in its fight against the virus."

Earlier, on the 7th, President Xi expressed gratitude for the relief supplies provided by the United States during a call with U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that since the outbreak, the Chinese government and people have been fighting with full force. He also conveyed the intention for both the U.S. and China to maintain communication and strengthen cooperation to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

On the other hand, since the outbreak began to spread in earnest, there has not been a single phone call with leaders of Asian countries. This month, the only contacts by China’s top two leaders in the Asian region were Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Beijing on the 5th for a meeting with President Xi, and a reply to a letter of consolation sent by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un. The Asian region has largely been left to Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, to handle.

On the 7th, State Councilor Wang Yi spoke with Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi, expressing gratitude for the support shown by the Indonesian government regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak. Earlier, on the 4th, he discussed the novel coronavirus issue in a phone call with the Thai Foreign Minister, as Thailand had a high number of confirmed cases. Earlier this month, he held phone calls with the foreign ministers of Malaysia, Pakistan, and India, expressing thanks for their countries’ support and medical supplies related to the novel coronavirus. Regarding South Korea, a call was held on the 28th of last month with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to discuss the protection of Koreans in China and necessary support from the Chinese side.

Regarding the lack of separate contact with Asian leaders, some in China suggest that this is due to the increasingly tense perception of the situation in the West, where even racial discrimination controversies have spread. However, the neglect of Asian countries, which have suffered relatively greater damage than the U.S. or Europe, can also be interpreted as these countries being deprioritized by China.

As of 7 a.m. on this day, according to various countries’ tallies, there have been 314 confirmed overseas cases of the novel coronavirus and one death (in the Philippines). Most cases are concentrated in Asia. Japan has the highest number with 95 cases, followed by Singapore with 40, Thailand 32, South Korea 27, Malaysia 17, Australia 15, and Vietnam 14. In Western countries, Germany has 14 cases, the U.S. 12, France 11, the United Arab Emirates and Canada 7 each, and the United Kingdom 4. So far, the Chinese government has not officially commented on the damage situation in the Asian region.

This contrasts with President Xi’s direct involvement in diplomacy with Africa and the Middle East. On the previous day, President Xi sent a congratulatory message to the 33rd African Union (AU) Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and on the 6th, he also held a call with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.