BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for solidarity, the focus on development and expanded cooperation in countering the challenges from the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.
Li made the remarks when addressing via video link the virtually held 15th East Asia Summit chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Noting pursuing peace and development and promoting cooperation represent the overriding trend of the times amid challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Li said all parties need “to stay united, focus on development, expand cooperation and join hands in prevailing over difficulties.” Hailing the balanced efforts of the summit over the past 15 years in advancing political and security cooperation as well as economic and social development, the premier made three proposals in terms of crisis response and cooperation facilitation.
First, Li called for solidarity in fighting the pandemic and improving the public health capacity, urging greater contribution of the summit in promoting vaccine accessibility and affordability. China supports the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) putting in place contingency medical supplies reserves, Li said.
Second, Li said the summit should strengthen policy coordination to forge the joint force of economic recovery, urging a regional network of “fast lanes” of personnel exchanges and “green lanes” of logistics to ensure the stable and smooth running of industrial and supply chains.
Third, the premier called on all parties to engage in pragmatic cooperation to enhance the capacity of sustainable development, pledging China’s further efforts in climate change, anti-terrorism, cybersecurity and other areas of cooperation. As of the issue of the South China Sea, Li said China is firmly resolved in safeguarding the region’s peace and stability, vowing China’s endeavor in upholding the rule of law on the international stage, and working with the ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and steadily advance the Code of Conduct consultations.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN News exchange item
