Xi Tells Pakistan, ROK Leaders China Can Win Novel Coronavirus Battle

A recovering novel coronavirus pneumonia patient gives a thumbs-up to medical workers at Wuhan University's Zhongnan Hospital. [Photo by Gao Xiang/For China Daily]

China is capable of winning the battle against the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease, and the disease will not undermine the foundation of China's long-term development, President Xi Jinping said Thursday.

Xi made the remarks in two separate phone conversations with Imran Khan, prime minister of Pakistan and Moon Jae-in, president of the Republic of Korea.

In the phone call with Khan, Xi said that China is able to manage the impact of the disease to the lowest level.

The Pakistani prime minister's call demonstrated that China and Pakistan are true friends that share both happiness and sadness, Xi said.

In his phone talks with Moon, Xi said that the Chinese government has taken the strictest measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease, and China's efforts have led to positive progress.

Noting China and ROK are close neighbors and cooperation partners, Xi said the disease's influence on China-ROK people-to-people exchanges is temporary.