China and Sri Lanka together with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan agree to expedite Infrastructure connectivity projects under Belt and Road cooperation to boost post-COVID-19 economic recovery and development.
China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan on Monday held a vice foreign ministerial-level video conference on COVID-19 response.
The virtual conference was chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui and Sri Lanka was represented by State Minister of Regional Cooperation State Minister, Tharaka Balasuriya along with representatives from other three countries including Foreign Secretary Of Bangladesh Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Nepal Bharat Raj Paudyal and Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Sohail Mahmood.
“Efforts will be made to facilitate the orderly resumption of major cooperation projects and keep the industrial and supply chains stable. Infrastructure connectivity under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative will be advanced at a faster pace. Smooth transportation of goods at border ports will be facilitated with sufficient containment measures in place,” the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said in a press statement.
In recognizing that the autumn and winter seasons are a crucial period for COVID-19 containment, the Five Parties agreed and vowed to strengthen information sharing and coordination of policies and actions to cope with the impact of the second wave of the pandemic.
Balasuriya appreciated the support received from donor countries including China, which provided equipment and medical supplies, and pointed out a significant shortfall in resources in the wake of a second wave.
Among his requests, he sought early access to a vaccine that is affordable to developing Countries, assistance, and sharing of experiences on economic recovery including debt relief and cooperation to ensure smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains.
“The Chinese side is ready to step up cooperation with the other four parties in testing, diagnostics, treatment, and medicine, and continue to provide them with the assistance of containment supplies. China has pledged that COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good. China is also ready to consider providing vaccines to developing countries positively, the other four parties included,” the Embassy noted.
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