Wang Yi: China-Italy ties to make new progress amid COVID-19 fight

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, saying bilateral friendship will be deepened amid the fight against COVID-19.

Italy has been hit hardest by the COVID-19 outside China with confirmed cases breaking 10,000 on Tuesday. It extended COVID-19 quarantine measures to the entire county on Monday night, the most severe controls on a Western country since World War II, which bans public gathering, suspends all sporting events and restricts travelling abroad unless for emergencies.

Noting the severe situation in Italy, Wang said that as a good friend and comprehensive strategic partner of Italy, China fully understands the challenges Italy is confronting.

The epidemic knows no border and is a common enemy of mankind, Wang stressed, calling for solidarity of the international community to combat the virus.

Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China is dedicated to not only putting all out to keep the Chinese people safe and sound, but also making contributions to global public health security, Wang said.

Not long ago, China made donations to the World Health Organization to support international cooperation on the COVID-19 fight. China is also offering help within its capacity to countries where the epidemic situation is severe or where medical conditions are poor, Wang said.

Noting that the Chinese people will not forget the support from Italy when China was at its hardest moment in the fight against the virus, Wang said China is now willing to stand firmly by the side of the Italian people as well.

Though China itself at present still needs a large amount of medical materials, the country, overcoming the difficulties, will offer Italy with assistance like medical materials including face masks, and accelerate and enhance the exports of supplies and equipment to meet Italy's urgent needs, Wang said.

If the Italian side requires, he added, China would like to send medical personnel.

The Chinese cities and provinces, which enjoy friendship relations with their Italian peers, as well as Chinese enterprises, will also offer support and aid to Italy, the minister added.

Wang said he believes the joint battle against the novel coronavirus will help deepen bilateral relations between the two countries, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

China appreciates that the Italian side has paid great attention to the health and safety of the Chinese nationals in Italy, and hopes that Italy will continue to offer them necessary help and support, the minister said.

Hand in hand, China and Italy will prevail over the epidemic eventually, Wang added.

Di Maio, for his part, briefed on Italy's latest development on the epidemic prevention and control and thanked China for its solicitude and support for Italy, adding that it fully demonstrates the traditional friendship between the two peoples.

Pointing out the severe situation in Italy at present, Di Maio said the Italian government is paying close attention to and learning from China's successful experience in the anti-virus fight, taking strong measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Italy is facing a shortage of medical supplies and equipment, said Di Maio, expressing hopes that China will help feed the urgent need.

The overseas Chinese living in Italy have played an active role in the fight against the epidemic, said Di Maio, adding that Italy will continue to take full care of their health and safety.