China to strengthen intl. cooperation on coronavirus battle

China will continue to strengthen cooperation with other countries to fight against the coronavirus outbreak, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said on Thursday during a press conference. 

Ma said the Chinese government has shared timely information and engaged in close cooperation with the global community. 

China's effort to control the source of the virus and contain its spread has bought valuable time for the rest of the world, Ma said, adding that the Chinese government and its people have made huge sacrifices in combating the coronavirus outbreak.

Over 1,300 Chinese nationals have been repatriated since the outbreak, Ma said.

In the same way that China has received support, it will also provide assistance to other countries fighting the novel coronavirus, Ma added.