Premier Li Keqiang attended the 23rd ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting in Beijing on Nov 14 through video link.

Other attendees included leaders of 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Premier Li said at the beginning that, as the pandemic is raging around the world, it has left a strong impact on the global economy, and the process of economic integration in East Asia is facing a lot of challenges.

He noted that at the special leaders’ meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea on COVID-19 in April, a consensus was reached to strengthen cooperation on epidemic prevention and control, keep markets open to each other, and to smooth industrial and supply chains.

Over the past six months, all sides have been actively promoting the implementation of the results of the meeting and thus have made great achievements in epidemic prevention and control as well as economic recovery, demonstrating the important role of 10+3 as the main channel for East Asian cooperation, he added.

The sayings such as “Lands parted, hands held” and “Like the mountain range stretching before you and me, let us share common trials and hardships together” vividly demonstrate how the countries in the region have helped each other in times of difficulties, the Premier said.

Premier Li also said preliminary results have been achieved in the prevention and control of the epidemic in 10+3 countries, with the resumption of work and production and the recovery of the industrial chain and supply chain in a smooth situation.

Some international agencies predict that East Asia is expected to become the only region in the world to achieve positive economic growth this year, and the development resilience of East Asian countries has increased our confidence in meeting challenges, the Premier noted.

As long as we further strengthen unity and cooperation and gather our wisdom and strength together, we can definitely turn crises into opportunities, overcome the impact of the epidemic, maintain regional peace and stability, and create brand new prosperity, the Premier said.