On April 26, 2021, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with the United Nations ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana via video link during his attendance of the 77th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Ma Zhaoxu expressed, China attaches great importance to the leading role of the ESCAP in the economic and social development cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and firmly supports the ESCAP in promoting solidarity in fighting COVID-19 and recovering economy of that region. China stands ready to work with the ESCAP to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen practical cooperation, and make positive contribution to the post-pandemic recovery of the Asia-Pacific region and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, jointly building a community with a shared future in the Asia-Pacific region.

Alisjahbana appreciated the support from China and would like to work with China to strengthen cooperation, support the Asia-Pacific fighting against the pandemic, and economic recovery, and leverage the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in promoting sustainable development and addressing climate change, jointly achieving the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.