The Star/ANN

BEIJING: A special meeting on Covid-19 will be held between China and Asean countries to discuss responses to the outbreak.

The meeting, which will be attended by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi and his counterparts from Asean nations, is scheduled to be held from tomorrow to Friday in Vientiane, Laos.

Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Wang would talk about China’s “forceful measures” on countering the epidemic.

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

Geng 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 these regions.

“Since the Covid-19 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 difficult times, ” he said.

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