WUHAN — Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan on March 27 called on journalists working on the front line of the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to continue reporting Chinese stories well to boost confidence and unite the people.

Sun made the remarks at a symposium with journalist representatives who have been working in the once outbreak epicenter city of Wuhan in Hubei province.

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended regards and gratitude to front line journalists on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and expressed hope for them to continue covering the COVID-19 response to create a mighty force that enables the people to tide over the hard times together.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, a total of 445 journalists have voluntarily come to Wuhan to work with their local counterparts. Together, they have made more than 500,000 reports and submitted more than 20,000 requests concerning public well-being to the authorities, according to the symposium.

Undeterred by the difficulties and risks, these journalists have been working on the ground in places such as hospitals and wards for severely ill patients, Sun said, noting that their reports have recorded touching anti-epidemic stories and reflected the difficulties and issues of public concern.

Commending the journalists' professional ethics and noble spirit, Sun lauded them as "epidemic fighters" and "heroes" and said they have greatly boosted the morale in people battling the virus on the front line.

Noting that the task of guarding against the spread of the virus is still arduous, Sun called on front line journalists to make unremitting efforts to report on the major decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee and issues concerning medical treatment, community efforts and business resumption.

Sun has been leading a central government group to oversee the epidemic control work in Hubei since the outbreak.