Asean diplomacy put to the test: The challenge of Covid-19

IMMEDIATELY after the issuance by the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Coordinating Council of a statement of satisfaction about the ongoing efforts of individual Asean member states’ health sectors at proactive roles and timely actions, the Special Asean-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) was convened in Vientianne, Laos on Feb. 20, 2020, which proposed the following: 1) strengthening the coordination for joint disease prevention and control; 2) taking a long-term perspective and establishing long-lasting cooperation mechanisms; 3) nationally dealing with the pandemic and conquering panic; and 4) turning the crisis into an opportunity and foster new cooperation growth points.

Parallel to the meeting, clinical specialists from China and Asean countries held a video conference of exchanges on therapeutic plans and treatment experiences. Before the conclusion of the special meeting, the Chinese Foreign Affairs minister proposed a summit on the outbreak of Covid-19 for Chinese and Asean leaders to underscore regional cooperation.