Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 14 (Reporter Zheng Mingda) Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council attended the special meeting of leaders of ASEAN and China, Japan, and South Korea (10 + 3) in the fight against the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Beijing on the afternoon of the 14th. The leaders of ten ASEAN countries, South Korean President Wen Jae-in, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, World Health Organization Director General Tan Desai, and ASEAN Secretary General Lin Yuhui attended. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presided over the meeting.
In his speech, Li Keqiang stated that the current epidemic situation of new coronary pneumonia has affected more than 200 countries and regions. The safety and health of the people of the world have been seriously threatened, and the world economy has been seriously affected. At the special summit of leaders of the Group of 20 held recently, President Xi Jinping advocated the international community to strengthen confidence, work together, and respond in a united manner to comprehensively strengthen international cooperation. ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea should increase their awareness of the community of destiny, send signals of mutual help and help each other, and strive for an early victory over the epidemic in East Asia.
Li Keqiang pointed out that the Chinese government has always insisted on taking the people as the center, insisting on firm confidence, working together in the same boat, scientific prevention and control, and precise policy implementation, insisting on openness and transparency, and achieving important stage results in epidemic prevention and control. In the next stage, we will continue to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control, and strive to prevent a rebound, not to be taken lightly. In the face of the epidemic, the destiny of all countries in the world is related to communism and mutual love. No country can be alone.
Li Keqiang proposed the following initiatives on the 10 + 3 cooperation to combat the epidemic:
One is to strengthen prevention and control cooperation and improve the level of public health. Close coordination and cooperation among countries to curb the spread of the epidemic. China is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capacity to ASEAN countries through free assistance and commercial channels. It is recommended to establish a 10 + 3 emergency medical material reserve center. Support WHO to play a leading role in maintaining regional and global public health security.
The second is to work hard to restore economic development and promote regional economic integration. Further reduce tariffs, remove barriers, smooth trade, promote investment, and open markets to each other. Maintain the necessary flow of people and logistics, and stabilize the supply chain of the industrial chain. Strive to sign the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" (RCEP) as scheduled within the year to achieve a higher level of regional economic integration.
The third is to focus on close policy coordination to resist various risks and challenges. We are confident that we can respond to the challenges of financial risks and provide stability to the region. Give play to the mechanisms of the Chiang Mai Initiative, such as multilateralization, to support multilateral financial institutions to maintain sufficient market liquidity. Ensure food supply and market security in the region.
Li Keqiang emphasized that viruses are the common enemy of mankind. The Chinese people will unswervingly stand with the people of East Asia and the people of the world, share the storms and overcome the difficulties together. I believe we will be able to overcome the epidemic together. (The full text is issued separately)
All the participants said that in the face of unprecedented challenges brought about by the epidemic, ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea should uphold the tradition of cooperation, show unity and meet the challenges together. Strengthen experience exchange and information sharing, carry out drug and vaccine R & D cooperation, and promote regional prevention and control mechanisms. Strengthen the coordination of macroeconomic policies, ensure the smooth supply chain of the industrial chain, gradually restore social and economic order, stabilize market confidence, and strive to reach RCEP within the year. It is believed that after defeating the epidemic, relations and cooperation between ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea will be further deepened.
The meeting was held in video format. After the meeting, the "ASEAN and China, Japan, and Korea Joint Statement on Leaders to Fight the New Coronary Pneumonia Outbreak" was issued.
Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the meeting.