BEIJING — State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, held a phone conversation on Feb 7 on cooperation to fight novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP).

Bonne expressed France's support for China in fighting against the NCP, and admiration for China's calmness, wisdom and capability in effectively bringing the situation under control within a short time.

France is willing to share experience with China and carry out cooperation to help China fight the epidemic, Bonne told Wang, adding that France is fully confident in China's final victory in the battle.

Wang thanked and expressed appreciation for France's support for China, stressing that the whole country is pulling together and working in unity to fight the epidemic.

With a highly responsible attitude to the Chinese people and the international community, China has adopted the most strict prevention and control measures, Wang said.

So far, these various measures have gradually taken effect, as cured patients have obviously outnumbered the deceased patients and the increase of suspected cases has slowed, he said.

The Chinese nation has never surrendered to any difficult challenges, Wang said, stressing that China is fully confident in winning the battle against the NCP.

Noting that the epidemic is a common challenge for mankind, Wang pledged that China will continue to share information with the international community in an open and transparent manner and strengthen cooperation.

China has no intention in playing down the challenge brought by the NCP, he said, while calling on countries around the world to respect professional advices by the World Health Organization (WHO) and avoid taking restriction measures on traveling and trade.

China hopes that France would continue to push forward the normal exchanges and cooperation between the two countries with an objective and fair attitude, he said.

Wang and Bonne also exchanged views on bilateral communication and cooperation in the next stage and agreed to maintain close communication, carry out exchanges at various levels, deepen practical cooperation and well implement the two heads of state's consensus, so as to strive for greater development of bilateral ties on a higher level.