Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday spoke to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in a phone call, as China's medical supplies arrived in the world's fourth hardest-hit nation in coronavirus pandemic. 

Xi expressed his sympathy to Sanchez, saying China will do its best to provide support and assistance to help Spain combat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.  

China supports the measures taken by the Spanish government to fight the epidemic, understands the severe situation Spain is facing, Xi said, adding that China is ready to meet Spain's urgent needs by doing its utmost to provide support and assistance, and share its experience in COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment.

With efforts across the country, China's prevention and control measures have achieved positive results, and the country has gone through the most difficult and arduous time, Xi said. 

He called for joint efforts by the international community to turn the crisis into an opportunity, to use open and cooperative actions to resist the impact of the epidemic and maintain international health and security.

After the outbreak, the two sides should step up exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of fields, he said, adding that China is willing to continue to expand the import of high-quality products from Spain. 

Noting that "sunshine comes after the storm," Xi said that through the test of fighting the epidemic together, China and Spain will have a stronger friendship, and bilateral relations will usher in a better future.  

Sanchez expressed his gratitude to China for its help in combating COVID-19.

China has provided urgently needed medical supplies to Spain in a timely manner, which fully embodies the friendship between the two peoples, he said.

Epidemic situation is a common challenge faced by the international community, and all countries should work together to cope with it, Sanchez stressed.

He added the Spanish side appreciates China's open attitude in promoting international cooperation and stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields. 

Spain's tally of coronavirus cases surpassed 10,000 on Tuesday and the number of fatalities rose to 491, according to the country's health emergency center. 

On March 14, the Spanish government declared a 15-day state of emergency following the coronavirus disease outbreak in the capital city of Madrid.

On March 15, the Spanish foreign minister requested for medical supplies during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

A shipment consisting of 500,000 medical masks donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation, arrived in northern Spain's Zaragoza on Tuesday.

The Chinese community in Zaragoza is also donating 15,123 face masks, 5,544 pairs of gloves and 1,254 bottles of alcohol and disinfectant gels to local authorities.

(With input from Xinhua)