Asian countries should try to attract new capital for development, thus laying a solid foundation for economic recovery in Asia and the world, said a Chinese expert during an international meeting.

While taking active actions to curb the spread of coronavirus, Asian countries should work with the international community to provide urgently needed assistance for other countries, and be well-prepared for the global economic recovery, said Zhou Xiaochan, former governor of the People"s Bank of China, the central bank.

"What the world economy needs now is to strengthen the weak links and accelerate economic transformation," Zhou, vice-chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, said in his speech at the 26th international conference on the future of Asia.

This year"s online gathering, focused on Asia"s role in the global recovery in the post-COVID era, invited political, economic and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific. It was held by Japan"s Nikkei, a financial newspaper, on Thursday and Friday.