BEIJING — Russia on Feb 11 issued a BRICS chairmanship statement to express support for China's efforts to fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic on behalf of the BRICS countries.

"The BRICS countries support the firm commitment and decisive efforts of the Chinese Government to combat the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic," said the statement.

The BRICS countries are ready to cooperate closely with China and call for the international community to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the World Health Organization, in order to prevent, protect and control regional and global public health safety, providing a coordinated public health response to the epidemic outbreak, it said.

"The BRICS countries commit to work together in a spirit of responsibility, solidarity and cooperation to bring this outbreak under control as fast as possible. They underline the importance of avoiding discrimination, stigma and overreaction while responding to the outbreak," said the statement.

"They support strengthening of scientific research cooperation on infectious diseases that pose threat to public health," it added.

BRICS is an emerging-market bloc which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.