Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone talks with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen over the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.

The Chinese government has sent a batch of medical supplies to Bangladesh and it has mobilized Chinese companies to provide more help, Wang noted.

Bangladesh has restricted border and travel bans to curb the spread of coronavirus. So far, the country has reported 164 infections and 17 deaths. 

China is willing to provide further help, share experience and data on the virus, as well as send a medical team to help local medics, Wang added.

He also suggested the Bangladeshi government takes precautions and control measures as early as possible. 

Momen, who requested more face masks and ventilators from China, extended his appreciation to the Chinese government for its help in fighting coronavirus, saying China is Bangladesh's most reliable friend and partner.

In February, Bangladesh donated medical supplies including gloves, medical masks, hand sanitizers, caps and protective suits to China.

(Cover: Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen (3rd L) and Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque (3rd R) hand over the medical supplies to Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming (2nd R) at a ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 18, 2020. /Xinhua)