WUHAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping Tuesday said the positive trend in preventing and controlling the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) could not have been won without the sacrifice, devotion, perseverance and hard efforts of the people of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection of the epidemic prevention and control work in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

With their concrete actions, Wuhan people have demonstrated the strength and spirit of China, as well as the Chinese people's love for the family and the nation, which enables them to stick together through thick and thin, Xi said.