Chinese, Qatari FMs talk over phone on COVID-19 fight

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday talked over phone with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at the latter's request, discussing the fight against COVID-19.

Under the personal command of President Xi Jinping, China has managed to curb the domestic spread of COVID-19 with arduous efforts and great sacrifices, Wang said, adding the country has not only safeguarded the health and safety of its people, but also bought time and provided useful experience for the world.

Since the outbreak, the Chinese side has offered the international community COVID-19 related information including the genetic sequence of the coronavirus, and actively carried out international cooperation in an open and transparent manner, making contributions to the global public health, Wang said.

China will never accept any practice of shifting the blame for poor performance in the anti-virus fight onto China, Wang said, noting that the Chinese side appreciates Qatar's objective and fair stance on this issue.

The contagious illness knows no borders and the virus is a common enemy for humankind, Wang said.

As COVID-19 broke out in many places across the world, Qatar has also been under the threat of the disease, Wang said, noting that the Chinese side would like to express sincere consolations to the Qatari people.

Observing that the Qatari side has put people's health and safety first and taken stringent prevention and control measures, Wang said the Chinese side has full confidence in Qatar's victory over the disease at an early date.

At the toughest times of China's anti-epidemic fight, Qatari leaders expressed support to China in the first moment, with various sectors of society donating to China, Wang said, adding that China expressed its heartfelt thanks to Qatar.

China's current top priority is to prevent the epidemic rebounds and importation, he said.

Out of the tradition of mutual help and support between the two countries, the Chinese side would provide as much material assistance as possible for and share its anti-epidemic experience with Qatar, Wang said, adding that China will stand firmly with Qatar until the final victory in the fight of COVID-19 is achieved.

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed said that under the wise leadership of Xi, China has passed through the most difficult period in the battle against the disease, achieving remarkable success and setting an example for the world, on which Qatar conveyed sincere congratulations.

Qatar cherishes its friendship with China and is one of the first countries to donate materials to China, he said.

Appreciating the material assistance and procurement convenience offered by China, the Qatari side stands ready to earnestly learn from China's experience and further strengthen communication and exchange with China to jointly overcome the epidemic, he said.