Amid China’s COVID-19 Impact, ASEAN Soothing Efforts... Wang Yi, Foreign Minister, to Visit Laos This Week

▲Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister in charge of diplomacy, will visit Laos this week to discuss the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced at a regular briefing on the 17th that State Councilor Wang Yi will visit Laos from the 19th to the 21st to preside over the "China-ASEAN Special Foreign Ministers' Meeting on COVID-19."

Foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, are expected to attend this meeting.

Wang Yi's urgent meeting with ASEAN is based on the assessment that the impact of COVID-19 in the Southeast Asian region is serious. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region have been reported as 34 in Thailand, 22 in Malaysia, 16 in Vietnam, 3 in the Philippines, and 1 in Cambodia.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang explained, "China and ASEAN countries have a tradition of helping each other and sharing difficulties," adding, "During the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, a special meeting of China-ASEAN leaders was held to jointly respond."

Geng said, "China and ASEAN maintain close communication and cooperate with each other," and "The decision to hold this special foreign ministers' meeting so quickly shows the determination to overcome difficult times together."

He added, "At this meeting, State Councilor Wang Yi will introduce China's strong measures and responses and discuss strengthening the joint defense capabilities of China and ASEAN."

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