South Korea and China Discuss Strengthening COVID-19 Prevention Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] South Korea and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in epidemic prevention, including information sharing and mask supply, to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 13th that it held a video conference of the "Korea-China COVID-19 Response Epidemic Prevention Cooperation Dialogue (Director-General Level)" with the participation of relevant ministries including the foreign ministries and epidemic prevention authorities of both countries.

Both countries evaluated and shared experiences in various fields related to COVID-19 response and discussed future cooperation plans including exchange of epidemic prevention and clinical information, supply of epidemic prevention materials, and support for business activities.

The government explained that South Korea has implemented an advanced epidemic prevention system based on openness, transparency, and democratic methods at the whole-of-government level, which has been highly evaluated by the international community including the World Health Organization (WHO).

It emphasized that it will continue to closely cooperate with the international community, including China, to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

In response, the Chinese government introduced that it has achieved positive effects through strong epidemic prevention measures and expressed its willingness to share epidemic prevention and clinical experiences and strengthen cooperation with the international community including South Korea.

The Korean government stressed the need to maintain close human exchanges and economic cooperation between South Korea and China despite the difficult situation and requested that more attention be paid to the protection and support of Korean nationals and businesspeople in China.

They also agreed to closely discuss cooperation measures related to domestic mask supply, and the Chinese side stated that they will continue to cooperate through ongoing communication.

Both sides also agreed to continue close consultations to ensure convenience for mutual international students.

They evaluated the various cooperation efforts made so far in responding to COVID-19, including mutual support of epidemic prevention supplies and sending encouragement messages at both government and private levels, and expected that this would further enhance Korea-China friendship and solidify the foundation of bilateral relations.

The video conference connecting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Health Commission buildings in Beijing was led by Kang Sang-wook, Director-General of the Northeast Asia Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Wu Jianghao (吳江浩), Director-General of the Asian Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with participation from officials of the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Chinese National Health Commission, Ministry of Education, Immigration Bureau, Civil Aviation Administration, and General Administration of Customs.

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