Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for more cooperation among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China to face new challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He made the remarks via video link on Tuesday at the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.  

Wang hailed the APT mechanism, saying the 10 member states of the ASEAN and the three countries, or 10+3, are the backbone of East Asian cooperation.  

With the resurgence of COVID-19 infections globally, the 10+3 countries should work together to carry out pragmatic cooperation, promote the overall economic recovery and continuously improve the crisis response capacities of the East Asian countries, said the Chinese diplomat.  

He urged the countries to take the 25th anniversary of the launch of 10+3 cooperation mechanism next year as an opportunity to formulate a 2023-2027 work plan to better serve the shared goals of the East Asian Community.  

Building a shield from pandemic in East Asia 

Noting that China has so far provided over 750 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to other countries and regions, Wang said China will provide additional 110 million doses for COVAX in the next four months and offer another $3 billion as international aid over the next three years. He also vowed that the country will continue to increase the vaccines supply.  

He said China supports using the 10+3 Cooperation Fund and the ASEAN Anti-Epidemic Fund to procure vaccines and other urgently needed materials to fight the pandemic. It will help speed up the construction of a 10+3 emergency medical supplies reserve center and an ASEAN reserve warehouse, he added.

Wang also called on all parties to oppose attempts to politicize the work of tracing the origins of the novel coronavirus, and resist the "political virus" in order to safeguard the global public health.  

Promoting economic integration in East Asia 

The Chinese foreign minister said the countries should strive to speed up regional economic integration and ensure that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's biggest trade pact, takes effect at an early date.  

He also urged the countries to improve the risk resistance capacity of industrial and supply chains, and implement the Connecting the Connectivities Initiative among the 10+3 countries.  

Seeking transformation of East Asia 

Efforts should also be made to accelerate the digital transformation of the region, make good use of the advantages of the East Asian markets, and vigorously carry out practical cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital economy, said Wang.  

China is willing to actively carry out cooperation on energy security and promote green growth, he added, vowing the country will also continue to share its experience in poverty reduction with all parties in an effort to help the regional countries ensure better development.  

Building foundation for East Asian values 

Wang said the countries should jointly pursue the common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind, and actively cooperate in education, culture and media sectors.  

He urged the East Asia to contribute to global stability, economic recovery and orderly global governance. 

The foreign ministers of Japan, the ROK and the ASEAN member states shared Wang's view on the importance of the 10+3 mechanism and the remarkable results it has achieved.  

The countries should adhere to solidarity, openness and inclusion, improve partnership, deepen connectivity, ensure a smooth flow of supply and industrial chains, enhance their resilience to tackle various types of challenges, and work together for regional development and prosperity, they said.  

The APT foreign ministers also wished the ongoing Tokyo Olympics success, and expressed their expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympics next year.  

Read more:

Li Keqiang stresses cooperation against COVID-19 in East Asia 

ASEAN, China, Japan, ROK vow to boost financial ties amid pandemic 

(Cover: The 22nd ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting is held via video link, August 3, 2021. /China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs)