<p>China has held its first meeting with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to discuss Covid-19 and poverty relief cooperation besides resuming trade and economic ties disrupted by the pandemic.</p>.<p>Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing, here on Friday, that the first meeting with the South Asian countries on anti-epidemic cooperation and poverty reduction was held on January 6.</p>.<p>This is China's third meeting held with these countries to discuss cooperation to deal with Covid-19.</p>.<p>In July last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a video conference with his counterparts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal to discuss plans to contain Covid-19, boost economic recovery and the resumption of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.</p>.<p>Later in November last year, China conducted a Vice-Ministerial meeting on controlling Covid-19 with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This is the first time China has included poverty relief, non-traditional security challenges besides Covid-19 cooperation in these meetings.</p>.<p>Hua said the January 6 meeting was a follow up to the two ministerial conferences held last year.</p>.<p>“In this meeting, the representatives shared experience on anti-epidemic and poverty relief,” she said.</p>.<p>“They talked about dealing with the impact of the pandemic, resuming economic and trade cooperation, dealing with non-traditional security challenges and advancing sustainable development and reached initial consensus,” she said.</p>.<p>“It shows our strong will and confidence in dealing with challenges together and achieving cooperation. China would like to work with all sides in implementing our consensus and make a greater contribution to building a regional community with a shared future for health”, Hua said.</p>
<p>China has held its first meeting with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to discuss Covid-19 and poverty relief cooperation besides resuming trade and economic ties disrupted by the pandemic.</p>.<p>Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing, here on Friday, that the first meeting with the South Asian countries on anti-epidemic cooperation and poverty reduction was held on January 6.</p>.<p>This is China's third meeting held with these countries to discuss cooperation to deal with Covid-19.</p>.<p>In July last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a video conference with his counterparts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal to discuss plans to contain Covid-19, boost economic recovery and the resumption of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.</p>.<p>Later in November last year, China conducted a Vice-Ministerial meeting on controlling Covid-19 with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This is the first time China has included poverty relief, non-traditional security challenges besides Covid-19 cooperation in these meetings.</p>.<p>Hua said the January 6 meeting was a follow up to the two ministerial conferences held last year.</p>.<p>“In this meeting, the representatives shared experience on anti-epidemic and poverty relief,” she said.</p>.<p>“They talked about dealing with the impact of the pandemic, resuming economic and trade cooperation, dealing with non-traditional security challenges and advancing sustainable development and reached initial consensus,” she said.</p>.<p>“It shows our strong will and confidence in dealing with challenges together and achieving cooperation. China would like to work with all sides in implementing our consensus and make a greater contribution to building a regional community with a shared future for health”, Hua said.</p>