Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that the situation in central China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, has been brought "under effective control."

Quoting figures, Wang is confident that China can secure a victory against the outbreak.

Wang said the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus has been declining for 15 consecutive days, while the number of recovered patients is rising, and by February 18 the number of the recovered and discharged surpassed the number of confirmed cases for the first time.

The trend shows the epidemic is controllable and curable, he told his counterparts from Southeast Asian countries at a dinner party in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Diplomats gathered for an emergency meeting between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scheduled for Thursday, to discuss the outbreak that started in China's Hubei and has spread to some other countries.

Earlier this week, ASEAN leaders issued a joint statement expressing "serious concerns over the outbreak." They agreed to increase the timely sharing of information within the bloc and with China and the World Health Organization.

ASEAN countries will also need to "standardize measures to ensure proper health inspection at borders and entry points," the statement said.

Wang assured ASEAN that China has brought the epidemic under control after enormous work and sacrifice.

"After arduous efforts, the situation is changing for the better," Wang said, noting that currently, the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province remain the areas severely affected by the epidemic, but the situation is under effective control, while other regions are embracing comforting news.

China is confident and determined to triumph over the epidemic at an early date," he stressed.

The Chinese foreign minister also emphasized that viruses like the one in COVID-19 are a "common enemy" to all countries and mankind, calling for united efforts to contain the epidemic. 

He highlighted international support and recognition for China's efforts. He said China has received support and understanding from over 160 countries and more than 30 international organizations.

Expressing gratitude, Wang said China and ASEAN countries are linked by mountains, rivers, and waters, and the two sides are not only one family but also a community with a shared future.

ASEAN countries have shown empathy and offered great help to China, Wang said. Such support has been boosting China's confidence in overcoming the epidemic, he added.

Wang also met the foreign ministers of Vietnam and Thailand on the same day, vowing to cooperate further to win the fight against the outbreak.

"China and ASEAN countries should strengthen cooperation against the outbreak and safeguard the lives and health of the people of China and ASEAN countries," the Chinese minister told Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh.

Wang also expressed confidence in Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), saying that China will promote actively the economic development of the region.

As China and Vietnam mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has entered into a critical stage, said Wang. 

Pham Binh Minh, for his part, said that Vietnam highly appreciates China's efforts to combat the virus and has confidence in China.

He also spoke highly of the cooperation with China in various fields, such as trade and investment, adding that the country will work further with China under the LMC mechanism.

In his meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Wang stressed that China appreciates the appropriate and reasonable measures Thailand has taken in line with WHO recommendations, adding that the friendship between the two sides will be deepened after the fight against the virus.

Wang predicted that the special meeting on Thursday will be successful and contribute to regional public health.

Don highlighted the importance of the meeting, saying that it will be the first by foreign ministers on public health.

Wang also briefed on the positive results of China's fight against the outbreak.