Premier Li Keqiang held a telephone talk with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 2.

As the COVID-19 outbreak spreads across the world, including in Southeast Asia, China and Vietnam, as each other's important close neighbors, should join hands with other countries in the region, enhance cooperation and experience exchanges in epidemic control, make common efforts to curb the spread of the epidemic in the region, and stabilize the industrial chains and supply chains, to maintain the economic development in the region, Premier Li said.

Since the beginning of the outbreak of the epidemic in China, the Vietnamese side has conveyed condolence and offered material support, the Premier said.

And China is willing to give necessary assistance and support within its capacity to Vietnam for its epidemic prevention and control, he added.

Premier Li stressed that the Chinese government always gives top priority to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese citizens and expressed his hope that Vietnam would protect the safety of Chinese citizens in the country.

Premier Li also said he hopes that Vietnam, as the rotating president of ASEAN this year, will play an active role in promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations.

The prime minister said China and Vietnam are good neighbors, and Vietnam highly values China's achievement in the fight against the epidemic and appreciates China's help and support.

He said that Vietnam is willing to learn from China's experiences in epidemic control, gradually resume exchanges and cooperation in all fields, and guarantee the health and safety of Chinese citizens in Vietnam.

Vietnam is willing to work with all sides to safeguard regional public health security, and push forward the relationship between China and ASEAN.