China, India’s neighbours agree on four-point plan
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held the first joint virtual conference with his counterparts from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal during which he proposed a four-point plan to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic, boost economic recovery and resumption of the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) infrastructure projects.
Addressing the meeting, which is the first involving the four countries, Wang proposed the four-point action plan including consolidating the consensus on unity and fight against the pandemic, avoiding politicisation and stigmatisation of the coronavirus and firmly support the World Health Organization (WHO) in playing its due role to jointly building global health community. The US has accused the WHO of siding with China on the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Wang said when the Chinese vaccine is developed, China will improve the accessibility of vaccines to the three countries and help them strengthen their public health systems.
He also urged the countries to take part in China-led mega projects under BRI in the region to accelerate post-pandemic economic recovery.
"We will actively promote the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Trans-Himalayan Connectivity network (THCN), support the extension of the corridor to Afghanistan, and further unleash the dividends of regional connectivity," Wang said.
His remarks assume significance as it came amid the border tensions between India and China.
The ministers of Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan "actively supported" the four-point cooperation initiative proposed by Wang, a statement released after the virtual meet said.
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