China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday held separate phone talks with his counterparts in the UK, Iraq and Nepal, and emphasized that countries should work together to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide.

Wang said international cooperation to jointly combat the epidemic is now the highest priority as the virus has spread to over 100 countries and regions around the world, and China is ready to strengthen cooperation and share its experience with countries hit by the virus.

China is making its contribution to the global public health crisis by upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, the foreign minister said.

Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in China and elsewhere

China will not only safeguard the health and safety of its own people, but also stands ready to enhance cooperation with the international community in battling the disease and make contributions to global public health and security, Wang elaborated.

Since late January, China has implemented a series of containment measures, including a lockdown of Hubei Province, home to 60 million people. Such measures have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for dramatically slowing the increase in new cases even as the epidemic has spread globally.

A China-UK health partnership

China is standing at the forefront of the epidemic fight, and the efforts made by China have safeguarded the health and safety of the Chinese people and bought time for other countries to prepare for the epidemic, Wang told his British counterpart Dominic Raab.

The two countries can further strengthen their cooperation on epidemic prevention and control, and explore the establishment of a global health partnership, which can add to the China-Britain comprehensive strategic partnership.

Echoing his Chinese counterpart, Raab said Britain looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the fight against the epidemic and further discussions on establishing a global health partnership.

Britain holds open attitude towards investment from Chinese companies, and would like to deepen cooperation with China in such areas as finance, free trade, investment agreement, and climate change, Raab said.

Wang also thanked the British government for its support in China's fight against the epidemic.

Britain has recently seen a rise in the number of confirmed cases in the country, and with its mature public health system, Britain can effectively contain the epidemic, he said.

More aid to Iraq

In a telephone meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim, Wang said China will continue to "do all within its reach to offer help and support to Iraq" as the country confirmed 54 new coronavirus infections.

Earlier the weekend, China sent a medical team to the war-torn country.

As of Monday (March 10), the virus has killed six people. In the meantime, the Iraqi government has banned all public gatherings and called on citizens to avoid visiting sacred cities and sites to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Wang said the two countries enjoy a traditional friendship, and last month, Iraq's president and prime minister sent condolences to Chinese leaders in support of China's efforts to fight the virus.

China upholds the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and it will not only safeguard the health and safety of its own people, but also stands ready to enhance cooperation with the international community in battling the disease and make contributions to global public health and security, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Al-Hakim commended China's support, saying Iraq is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on global and regional affairs.

"As the Iraqi people's anti-virus battle entered the most critical point, Chinese health experts arrived at Baghdad with medical supplies and equipment, providing selfless help to Iraq."

China-Southeast Asia coordination

Speaking to Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Wang praised the Nepali government's support and aid.

Wang said Nepal donated surgical masks to China at the hardest time during the country's COVID-19 fight, which was a testament to the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Gyawali said the Nepal side is glad to see the visible progress China is making in curbing the virus.

As China's neighbor, Nepal highly appreciates and fully supports the Chinese government's and people's efforts in the COVID-19 battle and will continue to stand firmly by China's side, Gyawali said.

Last month, China and ASEAN countries held an emergency meeting in the Laos and both sides agreed that they discussed joint measures to contain the epidemic as they understood the fight needed more than an individual country's effort.

Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen mechanisms in combating the disease and step up cooperation in sharing medical and health information and best practices to enhance emergency preparedness and response.

(Cover: Displays showing flight information at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, March 6, 2020. /AP)