Premier Li Keqiang held a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 29.

As the novel coronavirus epidemic is spreading around the world, China and the EU should support and help each other, the Premier said.

Under the current circumstances, China would like to join hands with the European side to enhance exchanges and cooperation on epidemic control and economic recovery.

He also expressed hopes that the European side will continue to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in EU countries.

The virus knows no boundaries, Premier Li said. Both China and the EU maintain multilateralism, and the EU has positively responded to the initiatives of the World Health Organization and carried out international cooperation on combating the epidemic.

China is willing to conduct R&D and production of vaccines, medicines and testing kits with the European side, and give support to regions with weak public health systems, the Premier said.

He said he hopes that the international communities will work together to win the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak at an early date.

Von der Leyen said Europe and China have been working closely to get through difficulties since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Fighting against the global epidemic needs cooperation and coordination among different countries in the world, she said, adding that the European side is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on combating the epidemic, recovering the economy and developing vaccines and medicines.

State Councilor Wang Yi and He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also participated.