ASEAN members pressed by China to lift travel curbs

Foreign ministers agree to cooperate on virus but show mixed feelings for Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for trade and travel between China and ASEAN to return to normal as soon as possible. (Photo by Yohei Muramatsu)

YOHEI MURAMATSU and TSUKASA HADANO, Nikkei staff writers

February 21, 2020 05:38 JST

VIENTIANE/BEIJING -- As foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China gathered in Laos Thursday to discuss the coronavirus outbreak, Beijing used the opportunity to persuade countries to lift entry restrictions on Chinese travelers.