China will further deepen international and regional cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, while continuing its prevention and control at the domestic level, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks at a joint press conference with Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Serbia, in Beijing.

"At present, the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is at the most critical stage, and many countries are facing the threat of the epidemic," he said.

Ivica Dacic is the first foreign minister that China has received since the outbreak, Wang said, noting that China will remember and treasure the friendship of Serbia who has expressed its true support through practical actions.

"I have briefed Mr. Dacic of the latest developments on the prevention and control work in China, as well as the situation of economic and social development," Wang said.

China has bought time and space for the world to respond to the epidemic, and made contributions and sacrifices for global public health, he added, noting that the global community should work together against the outbreak as the battle is a war with no national boundaries.

Ivica Dacic said that his country will share weal and woe with China, adding that Serbia appreciates China's efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

"The Chinese people are on the frontlines in the fight, which deserves the respect of all people in the world," he stressed.

Serbia condemns the politicized and excessive measures taken by some countries and has full confidence that China will completely overcome the epidemic at an early date, he added.

The two foreign ministers also held talks on the same day and exchanged views on bilateral relations.

During their talks, Wang said that China and Serbia are like-minded brothers who stick with each other through thick and thin, good partners in jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and good friends in advancing China-Europe cooperation. 

He called on both sides to uphold the open and inclusive multilateralism, oppose any kind of bullying, and work together with the international society to build a community of shared future for mankind. 

Noting that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has been operating at a high level, Dacic said the novel coronavirus epidemic has not affected bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all fields. 

The Serbian side openly and firmly supports the one-China principle, as well as China's core interests and major concerns on Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong issues, he said.