PHNOM PENH, April 13 (Xinhua) -- In this time of difficulty, the world is in sore need of solidarity. The deadly novel coronavirus has claimed over 110,000 lives worldwide. In the face of humanity's common enemy, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are gearing up for a collective fight.
Confronting the COVID-19 pandemic that caught the world by surprise, the ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) countries have been working closely together. A special summit of the grouping to be held on Tuesday will put forward measures to fight the novel coronavirus, safeguard public health and return the region's economy back to its vibrant self.
"Helping one's neighbor is helping oneself," South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said.
When the virus outbreak was first reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, ASEAN member states, Japan and ROK were among the earliest to extend a helping hand to China; when the situation in China stabilized, China did not hesitate to offer assistance back by donating medical supplies, sending expert teams to hard-hit areas and sharing its experience tackling the disease.
We all live under the same sky. Major infectious diseases are the enemies of all. No one can win the battle against COVID-19 alone in this tightly interlocked world.
ASEAN Plus Three, set up in response to the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s and which stood strong against the SARS epidemic, Indian Ocean tsunami and the financial crisis in 2008, can play a larger role in providing a coordinated regional response to the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic.
This special summit demonstrates the determination and willingness of East Asian countries to work together to combat the disease and safeguard regional stability and sustainable development.
At this crucial moment, these regional countries must assist each other to overcome the systematic economic and social crisis stemming from the pandemic.
The 13 countries should share diagnostic and clinical practices and work together to develop medicines and vaccines.
"China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties in East Asia, and provide assistance to neighboring countries on pandemic prevention and control," Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Deng Xijun has said.
Viruses recognize neither border nor race, and pose a common challenge to all. Only through solidarity and cooperation can the international community confront this global public health threat and defeat the pandemic once and for all.
