China proposed on Thursday a special China-ASEAN leaders' meeting on the novel coronavirus outbreak be held at an appropriate time to plan and guide cooperation from a higher level.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the welcome dinner in Vientiane, Laos, Feb 19, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the proposal in the Laotian capital of Vientiane during a special China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting on the epidemic.

Speaking at the meeting, Wang called for closer and more active cooperation between China and ASEAN to effectively stop the spread of the contagion, safeguard the health of people in all countries, and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

He also called on the two sides to promote public health management in the region to contribute to regional and international public health.

The meeting, attended by foreign ministers of ASEAN countries, was co-chaired by Wang and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Lopez Locsin, the China-ASEAN country coordinator.