Xi hails strengthened ties in pandemic fight

President highlights friendship in calls with leaders of Philippines, Belarus

China and the Philippines should make innovative efforts to gradually resume the exchange of necessary personnel on the basis of implementing disease control measures, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Xi made the remark in a phone conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Xi also spoke by phone with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The Chinese and Philippine people have helped each other in disease prevention and control since the outbreak of COVID-19, Xi said, adding that the mutual support demonstrates the brotherly friendship between the two countries.

Xi said he was glad to see that Duterte had led the Philippine people in taking effective anti-virus measures and achieving positive outcomes.

The Philippine people will definitely defeat the disease soon and restore production and normal daily life, Xi said.

China will continue to offer firm support to the Philippine people, Xi said, adding that, upholding the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, it has provided capital, experience and confidence for the global pandemic fight.

China would like to make joint efforts with the Philippines to promote the unity of the international community and support the World Health Organization in playing its leading role.

Duterte said under the strong leadership of Xi, China has not only controlled the disease domestically but also offered a generous hand to its partners including the Philippines.

He spoke highly of Xi's announcement that after China develops vaccines and puts them into medical use, it will offer them to the whole world as global public goods.

The Philippines is dedicated to deepening its friendship with China, and will not allow anyone to take advantage of the country to conduct anti-China activities, he added.

While speaking with Lukashenko, Xi said the mutual assistance between China and Belarus in containing the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the profound friendship between them as well as the high-level development and special nature of their bilateral ties.

China firmly supports Belarus in epidemic control, and will continue to share anti-epidemic experience and treatment measures without any reservations, Xi said, adding the country stands ready to work with the international community in strengthening cooperation and jointly building the health community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi commended the high-level development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual trust and win-win cooperation between the two countries, and said both countries support each other in their respective core interests and major concerns and they are genuine all-weather partners.

Saying the pandemic will inevitably affect bilateral exchanges and pragmatic cooperation, Xi called on the two countries to translate the challenges into opportunities and intensify Belt and Road cooperation to deliver more results.

Lukashenko thanked China for its support and assistance to his country in epidemic prevention and control.

Belarus resolutely opposes politicizing the virus and labeling others, and will stand firmly with China in the issues that matter to its core interests, he said.