China, ASEAN should enhance cooperation in outbreak: Foreign minister

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations need to share information and enhance cooperation to combat the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, said State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang made the remark during his meeting with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday.

The fact that Vietnam, which currently chairs the ASEAN, has responded positively to China's proposal to convene the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Coronavirus Disease demonstrates the good tradition of the two countries helping and supporting each other, Wang said.

The Communist Party of China and the people of China are working together to fight the epidemic under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, Wang said, adding that the hard work has led to obvious outcomes.

Wang said he believes Thursday's special meeting will be a success and send a clear signal that China and the ASEAN countries will stand together in the fight against the epidemic.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam. 

China and Vietnam should carry on the friendship forged by the older generation of their leaders, implement important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, and keep strategic communication at a high level, Wang said.

The two countries should push forward cooperation in various fields, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and manage their differences properly, he said.

Phạm Bình Minh said Vietnam praises highly the efforts China has invested in fighting the epidemic, and that Vietnam's novel coronavirus cases have recovered.

Vietnam will work with China to make Thursday's meeting a success, and it hopes to strengthen political trust with China, manage differences at sea properly and encourage cooperation in the border regions, Minh said.