Chinese Ambassador lauds ASEAN’s cooperation in COVID-19 fight
Jakarta (VNA) –
Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Deng Xijun has highly valued ASEAN’s cooperation in
the fight against COVID-19 as well as post-pandemic economic recovery.
In his article
entitled “Working together to elevate China-ASEAN relations to higher level”, which was published ahead of the 53th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-53) and
related meetings, Deng said China and ASEAN are among main drivers of East Asia
cooperation, which has been fully evidenced by the joint fight against the
pandemic in recent months.
Specifically, Chinese and
ASEAN leaders conducted frequent “cloud diplomacy” to provide confidence,
support and political guidance when they are most needed.
The Special ASEAN 3
Summit on COVID-19 and the China – ASEAN Special Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on
COVID-19 were held at critical junctures, boosting confidence and directing the
right way forward for regional anti-pandemic cooperation.
"To work concertedly
against the pandemic and stabilise economic and social order, China and ASEAN
have carried out regular exchanges at multi-levels in health, economy, trade,
transportation, information, disaster management, among others. All these
efforts point to the building of a comprehensive anti-pandemic cooperation
front," the diplomat wrote.
In order to take care
of social and economic recovery both during the pandemic and in the
post-pandemic era, China and ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Laos,
Myanmar and Indonesia have established “fast lanes” and “green lanes” for
personnel and goods movement, respectively.
China has resumed
direct international flights with Vietnam and some other ASEAN nations. China
has been actively exploring with ASEAN countries the establishment of fast and
green lane networks between China and ASEAN and in East Asia at large. Both
sides are working on a regional financial safety net that stabilises regional
supply and industrial chains as well as financial sector, according to the ambassador./.