Beijing announced on Thursday it will further boost international cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) despite COVID-19's global impact.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the High-Level Video Conference on Belt and Road International Cooperation in Beijing, which started with a written address by President Xi Jinping.

Wang reiterated the president's stance on furthering high quality joint-development and promoting multilateralism with BRI partners to safeguard people's health and resume global economy amid the outbreak.

Wang said the pandemic will not affect China's partnership with the world.

Beijing's trade volume with Belt and Road member nations grew 3.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. China will continue strengthening collaboration on epidemic control and share experience on economic resumption.

Ministers from 25 countries, along with representatives from the United Nations and the World Health Organization, attended the online conference.