President expresses solidarity with S. Africa, Turkey

President Xi Jinping continued his telephone diplomacy on Wednesday night as he held phone conversations with the presidents of South Africa and Turkey and called on the international community to strengthen solidarity in fighting COVID-19.

Speaking with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Xi said that China will continue to provide help within its ability as requested, share its pandemic control experience and strengthen public health cooperation with the African country.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa jumped to 1,749 on Tuesday, the most infections in Africa.

Xi said he believes the series of measures adopted by the South African government in dealing with the pandemic will achieve positive results.

China encourages Chinese nationals in South Africa to actively support and cooperate with local anti-epidemic efforts, he said.

Calling China and Africa good brothers facing difficulties together, Xi said China is closely following the pandemic situation in Africa and has provided anti-epidemic material assistance to the African Union and all African countries with diplomatic ties with China.

The international community should adhere to the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind, enhance unity, coordination and cooperation and firmly contain the spread of the pandemic, he said.

Ramaphosa said China has set an example and provided helpful experience for other countries by taking resolute measures to contain the pandemic. China's long-term support for South Africa and Africa, especially its help in the current hard times in fighting the virus, are very important, he said.

In his telephone conversation with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Xi called for close cooperation between China and Turkey on epidemic control.

He said the two countries should strengthen coordination in implementing the consensus reached by the Group of 20 leaders in responding to COVID-19 and jointly make contributions to international cooperation in fighting the virus.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi conveyed his sympathy to Turkey over the outbreak there and expressed firm support for the country's efforts.

Xi said the country attaches importance to raising its production capacity for medical and preventive supplies so as to provide more anti-epidemic materials to the world to the best of its ability.

Beijing stands ready to provide further assistance to Turkey in line with its needs, and will also facilitate its purchase of medical supplies from the Chinese market, Xi said.

Erdogan said China has set an example for the world in epidemic control. He thanked China for its assistance to Turkey in fighting the virus, and said his country wants to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as trade and aviation.