BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang on Nov 14 called for solidarity, the focus on development, and expanded cooperation to join hands in countering the challenges amid the ravaging COVID-19.

That came as Premier Li addressed the virtually-held 15th East Asia Summit chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Noting pursuing peace and development and promoting cooperation represent the overriding trend of the times amid challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Li said all parties should "stay united, focus on development, expand cooperation and join hands in prevailing over difficulties."

Hailing the balanced efforts of the summit over the past 15 years in advancing political and security cooperation as well as economic and social development, the Premier made three proposals in terms of crisis response and cooperation facilitation.

First, Premier Li called for solidarity in fighting the pandemic and improving the public health capacity, urging greater contribution of the summit in promoting vaccine accessibility and affordability. China supports the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) putting in place contingency medical supplies reserves, Premier Li said.

Second, Premier Li said the summit should strengthen policy coordination to forge the joint force of economic recovery, urging a regional network of "fast lanes" of personnel exchanges and "green lanes" of logistics to ensure the stable and smooth running of industrial and supply chains.

Third, the Premier called on all parties to engage in pragmatic cooperation to enhance the capacity of sustainable development, pledging China's further efforts in climate change, anti-terrorism, cybersecurity, and other areas of cooperation.

Pertaining to the issue of South China Sea, Premier Li said China is firmly resolved in safeguarding the region's peace and stability, vowing China's endeavor in upholding the rule of law on the international stage, and working with the ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and steadily advance the Code of Conduct consultations.

Acclaiming the positive role of the summit in promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity, the participating leaders urged concerted efforts in fighting the pandemic and improving the resilience of public health. They also voiced support to the ASEAN playing the central role of the summit, and the steps of facilitating cross-border trade and interconnectivity to promote economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.

The meeting was also attended by the leaders of 10 ASEAN countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien.