Coronavirus: China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urges world to resume links with Beijing, says it’s taken ‘forceful action’

Chinese foreign minister agrees to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian nations and share timely information on the epidemic

China not only protecting its own people but the rest of the world, he tells emergency meeting with Asean foreign ministers

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China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, centre, in a group photo with some of the foreign ministers of Asean in Vientiane, Laos. Photo: AP

Published: 4:03pm, 20 Feb 2020Updated: 11:52pm, 20 Feb 2020

Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday called for countries to resume bilateral trade and people-to-people ties with China, saying it had taken “forceful action” to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

These efforts were working, he said, referencing how China had reported its lowest number of new cases on Thursday since Wuhan city in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, was locked down on January 23.

“China is not only protecting its own people but also the rest of the world,” he said at a special Asean-China meeting held in Vientiane, Laos.

“The outbreak may have some impact on the Chinese economy, but such impact will only be temporary and limited,” Wang said.

“In light of the conditions on the ground, countries need to resume people-to-people ties and cooperation. We will turn challenges into opportunities,” he said. “While the outbreak is highly challenging, new industries have also emerged in the process.”

At a press conference after emergency talks with the foreign ministers of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Wang said he and his counterparts had agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat the epidemic.