VIENTIANE, Feb. 20 (AFP) – China’s efforts to control the deadly outbreak of a new coronavirus “are working”, Beijing’s top diplomat said on Thursday (Feb 20), attributing an easing in new cases to his country’s “forceful action” against the illness.

Speaking in Laos after talks with peers from the 10 South-east Asian (Asean) countries, Wang Yi said the outbreak was “controllable and curable” despite the global panic it has seeded.

“China is not only protecting its own people but also the rest of the world,” he told the summit in Vientiane, referencing a recent sharp drop in new cases of the virus inside China, where it has killed more than 2,100 people.

The hastily-convened summit with Asean neighbours comes as a region dependent on the flow of Chinese goods and tourists faces a steep bill following restrictions on movement from China.

A similar meeting was held in 2003 following the outbreak of Sars.

Originating in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the new coronavirus – known as Covid-19 – has infected more than 74,000 people inside China.

The government has locked down tens of millions of people in several virus-hit cities, extended Chinese New Year holidays and pulled flights in a scramble to contain the virus.

Still the health scare has cascaded across South-east Asia, with cases recorded in the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam have restricted flights from mainland China and suspended visa-free arrivals as health screening ramps up at entry points.

The Asean meeting started on Thursday with a rallying cry of “Stay strong, Wuhan! Stay strong, China! Stay strong, Asean!” by the ministers at a joint photo session.

Speaking at a dinner gathering on Wednesday evening, Mr Wang told his Asean counterparts that China is confident of winning the fight against Covid-19 with the support of the international community, including Asean.