China and the United States should “unite to fight” the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the globe, said President Xi Jinping in a call with his US counterpart on Friday, according to state media.
Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet. China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
The two countries have clashed in recent weeks over the virus, but Xi told President Donald Trump that China “wishes to continue sharing all information and experience with the US,” said state broadcaster CCTV.
The two leaders appeared to strike a conciliatory tone after Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo angered Beijing this month by repeatedly referring to “the Chinese virus” when discussing the COVID-19 outbreak first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan.According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, during the call Xi emphasized that the disease was a common enemy to mankind and disregarded national borders and races, calling for the international community to work together to beat the virus.
China had been transparent and timely in its response to the new coronavirus epidemic, he said, sharing scientific information including the release of virus gene sequences.
China moved to implement stricter travel restrictions this weekend halting international flights and suspending entry for many foreign nationals, according to the country’s foreign ministry.
Xi also noted in the call that Sino-U.S. relations were at an important juncture, according to Xinhua, and that China would work with the U.S. to share scientific research, medical supplies and stabilize global markets.
The call comes after a rocky year in relations between the world’s two biggest economies, which reached a trade deal earlier this year after months of wrangling.
Earlier this month, China moved to expel about a dozen American journalists from the country in a tit-for-tat retaliation for Washington forcing Chinese state media firms to register as “foreign missions” in the U.S. and slash staff by 40 percent.
The number of coronavirus infections worldwide reached a half-million on Thursday and deaths climbed past 23,000, according to NBC News’ count. Global leaders are coming together to stem its impact and prepare a new initiative in the coming days, said French President Macron, who also spoke to Trump on Thursday
Earlier this month a foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing also suggested in a tweet that the US military brought the virus to Wuhan.
Friday’s call also took place as the US overtook China as the country with the most coronavirus cases — the pathogen has now infected more than 82,400 people in the world’s largest economy.
Xi said Sino-US relations were at a “critical juncture”, CCTV said, adding that cooperation was mutually beneficial and “the only right choice.” “I hope that the US will take substantive actions to improve Sino-US relations, and both sides can work together to strengthen cooperation in fighting the epidemic,” he said.
Some provinces, cities and companies in China have provided medical supplies and support to the US as well, Xi added.
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