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ASEAN, China Foreign Ministers Pledge to Combat Coronavirus Outbreak

ASEAN, China Foreign Ministers Pledge to Combat Coronavirus Outbreak

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on Thursday began a special meeting in Vietniane, Laos, to discuss measures adopted by Beijing to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

It is co-chaired by Chian’s Wang Yi and Philippine foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr, who is also the country coordinator of ASEAN-China Dialog Relations.

In an opening speech, Locsinsaid that apart from the health impacts of the Covid-19 disease, the outbreak has been “massively detrimental” to trade, travel, and the global economy.

“Enemies such as Covid-19 demand action, compassion, and cooperation,” Locsin said, as quoted by South China Morning Post. “Strengthening cooperation can help pave the way to subduing this enemy.” 

A similar meeting was held in 2003 following the outbreak of Sars.

Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin Jr thanked China for its “unprecedented domestic measures and quick action” – apparently referring to the lockdowns of several large cities as the virus billowed out.

Mask-clad tourists visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok on February 1, 2020. Image: EPA-EFE
Mask-clad tourists visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok on February 1, 2020. Image: EPA-EFE

 

But he recognised the “massively detrimental” economic impact of the disease, which has constricted global trade and tourism vital to many South-east Asian economies, noted The Straits Times.

The epidemic has disrupted trade and supply chains and slowed regional tourism, forcing countries to downgrade their growth forecast for the year and plan stimulus measures to help business stay afloat.

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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