Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the 23rd leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (ASEAN Plus Three), which is held via video link, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday called for further solidarity and cooperation with regional countries in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the safeguarding of peace and stability.
Li made the remarks in a speech at the 23rd leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (ASEAN Plus Three), which was held via video link. The leaders of 10 ASEAN countries, ROK President Moon Jae-in, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also attended the meeting.
Li said the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the global economy severely and brought many challenges to regional economic integration in East Asia. "In April this year, we held a special meeting of leaders from ASEAN-China, Japan and the ROK on fighting the pandemic, and agreed to strengthen cooperation to meet the challenges of COVID-19, open markets to each other, and stabilize the supply chain as well as the industrial chain."
For more than half a year, all parties have actively promoted the implementation of the results achieved at the meeting, effectively advanced regional epidemic prevention and control as well as economic recovery, indicating the important role of ASEAN Plus Three as the main channel for East Asian cooperation, he said.
Noting that the ASEAN Plus Three achieved primary results in the prevention and control of the pandemic, with the resumption of work and production, as well as the orderly recovery of the industrial chain and the supply chain, the premier said that relevant international agencies predicted that East Asia may become the only region in the world to achieve positive economic growth this year.
"The development resilience of East Asian countries has increased our confidence in dealing with challenges. I believe that, as long as we further enhance solidarity and cooperation, gather wisdom and strength, and turn crises into opportunities, we will definitely be able to overcome the impact of the pandemic, safeguard regional peace and stability, and create a new situation of regional peace and prosperity," Li said. Enditem
