China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thursday appreciated the support shown by some American Jewish groups for the Chinese American businesses affected by the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, an American community for Jews, wrote an open letter on Tuesday, appealing for fair treatment of the Chinese American community that suffered xenophobia over the novel coronavirus.

"We are concerned about rising xenophobia aimed at Chinese people in this country and abroad over the COVID-19 'coronavirus,'" said the non-profit organization to the Chinese American and Chinese communities in the United States.

"We know that in such times, concern can quickly turn into hysteria, which can lead to scapegoating. We pledge to help ensure that Chinese people feel safe and supported, and to combat attacks and stereotyping on social media," said the council, which represents 125 local Jewish federations and community relations councils and 17 national Jewish agencies.

At a daily media briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the letter shows the friendly relations between the American Jewish organizations and the Chinese people in the U.S. and China.

The virus has no borders and it is a challenge for people all over the world, Zhao said.

He called for joint efforts to contain the outbreak. "Solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons to fight diseases, and China is willing to work with all countries to fight against the virus," he said. 

(Cover: David Bernstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, speaks in an interview with Xinhua in New York, the United States, February 25, 2020. /Xinhua)