Xi urges joint China-US action against COVID-19 in phone call with Trump

President Xi Jinping (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Osaka, Japan on June 29, 2019. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

President Xi Jinping on Friday urged united actions between China and the United States to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he hopes the US can take concrete steps to improve bilateral relations.

In a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Xi said bilateral relations are now at a critical juncture, and both nations stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation and that cooperation is the only correct choice for both sides.

He called for joint efforts from both sides to bolster cooperation in areas such as epidemic containment and develop a China-US relationship featuring non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

China shared information on the COVID-19, including the genetic sequence of the virus, at the earliest time possible, with the World Health Organization and countries including the US in an open, transparent and responsible manner since the start of the pandemic, Xi said.

The country has also shared its experience on epidemic containment and medical treatment and done its best to support and help countries in need of assistance, he said.

We will continue to do so and work together with the international community to overcome the pandemic, he added.

The virus respects no borders or races and is a common enemy for mankind, and therefore it would require a joint global response to conquer it, he said.

Xi noted that positive outcomes have been reached in the G20 Extraordinary Leaders' Summit on Thursday, and different parties must step up coordination and cooperation to ensure the implementation of the outcomes.

China stands ready to work with the different sides, including the US, to continue to support the important role of the WHO, step up information and experience sharing, accelerate steps in research and development cooperation and promote the bettering of global health governance, he said.

He also underlined the importance of more coordinated macroeconomic policies to stabilize markets and growth and to guarantee public well-being while ensuring the openness, stability and security of global supply chains.

Xi expressed his hope that the US side can adopt concrete measures to protect the safety and health of Chinese citizens, including students, in the US.

The conversation between the two presidents came as data compiled by the Johns Hopkins University showed the US surpassed China in the number of coronavirus cases on Thursday.

Trump said China's experience on combating the virus has been very inspiring and he will make sure that the two countries can overcome differences and stay focused on epidemic containment cooperation.

He also voiced appreciation to China for providing supply of medical resources, saying the two countries must bolster exchanges in healthcare, including cooperation in the R&D of effective pharmaceuticals.

Trump said on Twitter following the phone call that the conversation was "very good" and that "China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the virus. We are working closely together."