BEIJING, July 29 (INP): China says the video conference with foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal on COVID-19 was highly productive.

According to the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, it set a future course of action to cope with the epidemic situation at the regional level through joint efforts.

At the regular news briefing, the spokesperson said, it was the result of a Chinese proposal that has won strong support from the other three countries.

The ministers held an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening anti-epidemic cooperation and boosting socioeconomic recovery and reached broad consensus.

They agree that as neighbors and partners, the four countries have shared information in a timely manner and achieved fruitful results in jointly fighting the virus.

As we continue the fight on an ongoing basis, efforts should be made to enhance international cooperation in prevention and control, safeguard public health, boost resumption of work and production, facilitate the unfettered flow of cross-border trade and ensure livelihoods until a final victory is declared.

The ministers all agree that solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon to defeat the virus. We should adhere to multilateralism, support WHO's leading role, uphold regional and global public health security, and strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The four sides will enhance information-sharing and policy and action coordination, and step up exchange and cooperation in epidemic prevention and control.

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the other parties on testing, treatment, drugs and vaccines and help them with public health capacity building.

China reiterated that once it develops a vaccine, it will be made a global public health product. China will also help increase vaccine accessibility in the three countries.

Foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal all appreciated this and expressed readiness to enhance anti-epidemic cooperation with China.

The four sides agree to work together to gradually resume cross-border flow where the conditions are ripe. A standard operating procedure will be formulated to cover notification, border management and control, quarantine and emergency response to block cross-border transmission of the virus. Discussion will also be held on establishing a fast lane for personnel and a logistics green lane.

It was also agreed that the four countries will continue BRI cooperation. The ministers stressed that responsible public information dissemination is vital. Science-based professional exchange on prevention and control should be held.

In the process of fighting the pandemic, there must be no discrimination, stigmatization, racism or xenophobia of any form, the spokesman added while giving the detail of the video conference.

INP/JAVED