Xi: China to be even more prosperous after overcoming epidemic

China will be even more prosperous after overcoming the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) epidemic, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo on Tuesday.

President Xi stressed that China has the ability and confidence to not only thoroughly defeat the epidemic, but also fulfill its economic and social development goals.

He noted that at this critical juncture, when China is battling the NCP, President Widodo's phone conversation with him reflects Indonesia's friendship with and support to China as a comprehensive strategic partner.

He stressed that fighting the epidemic is currently the top priority of the Chinese government. China has given full play to its system advantage, waged a people's war in epidemic prevention and control, adopted the most rigorous and thorough prevention and control measures, and achieved positive results, he added.

Widodo expressed sympathies to the Chinese government and people over the epidemic on behalf of the Indonesian government and people. Indonesia has provided a batch of medical supplies to China, he said, adding that the country is ready to continue to offer necessary assistance in response to the needs on the Chinese side.

Checking a passenger's body temperature at Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, January 22, 2020. /Xinhua Photo

On the same day, President Xi also held a phone call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the epidemic.

Since the outbreak, China has adopted the most thorough and rigorous measures to fight the epidemic, according to Xi.

At present, our prevention and control work is achieving positive results, said Xi, adding that the country will win the battle against the epidemic.

The Chinese people are deeply moved by the true friendship that has stood the test in difficult times, Xi said.

Emir Sheikh Tamim, on behalf of the Qatari government and people, expressed firm support to the Chinese government and people's fight against the epidemic, and extended condolences to the deceased in the epidemic and sympathies to their families, while wishing the patients a quick recovery.

(With input from Xinhua)