While acknowledging China’s handling of the virus was “unprecedented” and “quick”, the Philippine minister stressed the need for collective efforts, saying that states hoped to work toward a “consolidated response”.

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

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Asean leaders in a statement on February 15 expressed “serious concerns over the outbreak”. They said it “poses severe challenges to the well-being of the peoples and the development of our respective countries and the region and the world”.

The latest Chinese health guidelines say aerosol transmission is possible in certain conditions but main cause of spread remains close contact.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the only goal that China and Asean member states had was to collaboratively fight the challenges brought on by the outbreak.

Wang said China and Asean nations were “connected by rivers and mountains” and shared the same fate, and that they had a tradition of watching out for and supporting one another.

“This epidemic knows no borders. The virus is our common enemy,” said Wang. “At this moment, we should work together and through closer and active cooperation, effectively prevent the spread of the epidemic and protect our people's lives.”

Wang arrived in Vientiane on Wednesday evening, and was seen leaving the hotel with a delegation for Lao Plaza Hotel, where he met his Asean counterparts for a welcome dinner hosted by Laotian foreign minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

He also held bilateral meetings with Locsin and Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, where he thanked both Philippines and Singapore for their support. According to state news agency Xinhua, Wang said Singapore’s efforts underscored their long-standing tradition of “helping each other in difficult times”.

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In a speech at the dinner event, Wang said China was confident in winning the fight against the coronavirus, noting that the number of recovered patients was rising, Xinhua said.

Wang thanked Asean members for offering support to China during the outbreak. “We hardly feel the winter chill and spring is approaching,” he said.

Asean Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi on Wednesday said the regional group, together with Japan and South Korea, was willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation on health security.

The emergency meeting is taking place at the Don Chan Palace Hotel, before a previously scheduled afternoon session for Wang and his counterparts from the five countries in the Lancang Mekong Cooperation initiative – a Beijing-backed development drive for the Mekong River.

Asean foreign ministers gathered earlier in the morning before meeting Wang, with the session expected to last for 90 minutes before a press conference. A temperature screening checkpoint was set up at the entrance of the Don Chan Palace Hotel, with sanitisers and disinfectant wipes also on hand.

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In recent days, the Chinese government has fended off criticism it had concealed information and was slow to react to the virus outbreak, which began in the central province of Hubei.

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During that meeting, leaders recognised the need for collective regional efforts to tackle the virus, and called for the exchange of information and sharing of experience to control and prevent the spread of Sars, as well as for the closer cooperation among countries’ immigration and customs departments.