Hanoi (VNA) – Leaders from ASEAN member countries, and the Republic of Korea (RoK),Japan and China shared the view on the need to enhance their cooperation in theCOVID-19 fight and economic recovery, during the 23rd ASEAN PlusThree (APT) Summit held online on November 14.

Addressing thesummit, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the experience incoping with crises has become the strength of APT cooperation over the pastmore than two decades.

Given the unprecedentedchallenges caused by COVID-19, the countries have carried forward the strengthto promptly handle the impact of the pandemic, he went on.

The PM recalled theSpecial ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 in April, during which the leaders affirmed theirresolve at the highest level to reinforce coordination in combating thedisease, ensuring lives and health of people, and reviving the economy.

In his remarks, RoKPresident Moon Jae-in said APT cooperation hasbecome a model of international cooperation as they work in solidarity tobattle against COVID-19.

The ASEAN COVID-19 ResponseFund and the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies are meaningful outcomes thatthe countries have attained together, according to Moon.  

The ideas thecountries discussed at the Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 in April aredeveloping into tangible achievements.

The RoK leaderexpressed his hope that essential business travel will expand further to theextent that it does not undermine disease control efforts as COVID-19 persistslonger than anticipated.

He suggested thecountries upgrade cooperation in the area of public health and work towards thedevelopment and equitable supply of vaccines and treatments, saying it is a mustto establish a timely and transparent coordination mechanism to prepare againstnew infectious diseases which can strike at any time.

On the economic front,he said the countries need to prepare for the post COVID-19 era. The globaleconomy is projected to recover to the pre-pandemic level by next year. But thespeed of this recovery will be very uneven among countries.

He pointed to thewave of trade protectionism and uncertainties in the financial markets. Thereare concerns that an accelerated transition to a digital economy could widenthe gap between social classes and no country can solve these challenges on itsown.

The countries mustwork to strengthen the resilience of the economies and identify measures forinclusive, sustainable growth. To that end, they must pull that wisdom andcooperate with one another.

He hoped that ASEANPlus Three could become the hope for the global economy and the post COVID-19 era.

Japanese PM Suga Yoshihide said the APT Summit hascontributed to cooperation among countries in overcoming challenges.

The Special ASEAN+3 Summiton COVID-19, held in April, is an evidence of the efforts by countries in theregion to work together to overcome crises and defeat challenges.

He pledged to providemore support so that the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies andEmerging Diseases, whose establishment was announced two days ago, will developinto a body that protects the lives of the people of ASEAN from such healththreats.

Japan will provide over200 million USD worth of assistance to secure medical supplies and equipment aswell as technical assistance to research institutes, the PM said.  

On economic revitalisation,Japan has provided a total of 2.5 billion USD in budget support loans to thecountries upon their request, he stressed.

Investment in theprivate sector is also expanding, he said, adding that the ASEAN-Japan EconomicResilience Action Plan was adopted, under which, support is rendered to buildresilient supply chains and promote the digitalisation of the industry.

Based oncollaboration between Japan, China and the RoK, a contribution of 300,000 USDhas been made from the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Fund to the ASEAN COVID-19 ResponseFund.

In addition, Japanhas made a decision to make its own contribution of 1 million USD, he said.  

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the economic integrationin East Asia is confronted with multiple challenges, recalling the SpecialASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 held last April, during which the leaders agreed to strengthencooperation in response to the coronavirus, open markets to each other, andkeep industrial and supply chains stable.

Over the past sixmonths, all the parties have been acting actively implement the outcomes ofthat summit. Some international institutions have been projected or recognised inresponding to COVID-19, he continued.

The measures taken byEast Asian countries and the experience they have accumulated are inspirationsto other countries.

He thanked ASEANcountries for their understanding and support to China in the pandemic fight,particularly in the most difficult stage in the combat.

The Chinese leaderexpressed his belief that the countries could work together to mitigate thepandemic and reopen the economy, thus opening up a bright prospect of peace,development and prosperity for the region./.