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China launches coronavirus crisis reserve with South Asian nations
- Centre for stockpile of emergency supplies opens in Chengdu but – as expected – without India’s involvement
- Project part of longer term efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative, analyst says
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China and five of its South Asia neighbours have launched a joint stockpile of emergency supplies as part of efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and other crises.
The centre for the reserve is based in the southwestern province of Sichuan and part of efforts to foster longer term cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, according to analysts.
Apart from China, the partners in the project are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – all of which are belt and road partners.
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India is not taking part, with tensions continuing to simmer with China over their disputed Himalayan border.
The launch comes as South Asia struggles to contain another wave of coronavirus infections. On Sunday Afghanistan reported 1,075 new cases while Nepal reported 1,237.
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At the opening of the centre in Chengdu on Friday, Chinese assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao said China and South Asia had a tradition of helping each other in times of difficulty.
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