BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang discussed the situation of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over phone on Saturday.

The Chinese government has always been putting people's life safety and health first, Li said, adding that it is implementing the epidemic prevention and control measures in an open and transparent, forceful and orderly way, with focus on preventing the epidemic from spreading, curing and treating the patients, and meanwhile ensuring the normal life of the Chinese public and foreigners in China.

The Chinese government and people have confidence, resolution and ability to win the battle against the epidemic, said the Chinese premier.

China is sparing no effort to guarantee medical supplies needed by front-line medical workers, Li stressed, while expressing hope that the European Union (EU) could provide necessary convenience to the Chinese side in purchasing medical supplies in emergency from EU members through commercial channels.

China is willing to strengthen information, policy and technology exchanges, and develop relevant cooperation with the international community, which includes the EU, he added.

For her part, von der Leyen said the EU highly respects and recognizes the epidemic prevention and control measures that China has taken.

The EU will try its best to utilize every single available resource so as to lend a helping hand to China, and will coordinate with relevant member nations to provide convenience to the Chinese side in purchasing medical supplies, she added.