The Chinese government has the confidence of controlling and eventually overcoming the novel coronavirus epidemic, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently tweeted in Chinese, praising China's response to the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus.

Hua said Zarif's remarks fully reflect the traditional friendship and sincere partnership between China and Iran.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has conveyed an oral message to Zarif in this regard and expressed thanks to the Iranian side, she added.

At present, the Chinese government is taking resolute and forceful measures to conduct scientific and effective prevention and control of the epidemic, Hua said and added the government is also maintaining close cooperation with the World Health Organization and other international partners.

(Cover: Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying speaks at a daily press conference in Beijing, China, December 5, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry)