The Chinese Foreign Ministry shared details about the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), in which State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and ASEAN foreign ministers reached important consensuses on jointly fighting the outbreak. 

"It is of special and important significance since it marks the first multilateral foreign ministers' meeting focusing on public health security for regional countries," spokesperson Geng Shuang said Friday during a daily briefing. 

"This successful meeting achieved positive outcomes and published the Statement of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the COVID-19."

Geng reiterated four points Wang proposed during the meeting: first, to strengthen coordination for joint disease prevention and control; second, to take a long-term perspective and establish a long-acting cooperation mechanism; third, to rationally deal with this epidemic and conquer panic; fourth, to turn the crisis into an opportunity and foster new cooperation growth points.  

In response, ASEAN countries expressed appreciation for the strong measures China has taken in an open, transparent and responsible manner; recognition for its contribution to regional and global public health security; and confidence in its early victory over the epidemic, Geng said.

Friendly neighbors 

When asked to comment on Japan's medical assistance to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, Geng said it is only natural for China and Japan to deal with it hand in hand as friendly neighbors. 

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"After the epidemic began, the Japanese government and people provided valuable support and assistance to China at the earliest time possible," Geng noted, adding that Chinese people will remember and hold dear such friendship. 

Standing firmly together 

In the fight against the virus, China and Iran have been standing firmly together, Geng stressed while answering a question raised by CGTN. 

The Iranian health ministry confirmed five COVID-19 cases in Iran, of which two have been fatal. Geng said that China closely follows the COVID-19 situation in Iran and expresses condolences for the passing of the patients. 

"The Iranian government and people provided China with valuable support and help, and Foreign Minister Zarif was the first foreign minister who publicly voiced support for China," Geng added. 

He also emphasized that China will work in concert with Iran in close communication, coordination and cooperation to defeat the epidemic as early as possible and safeguard the health and security of our two peoples as well as world public health security. 

(CGTN's Su Yuting also contributed to the story.)