BEIJING — State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on April 29 spoke over the phone with Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Wei said the two countries should step up communication and properly handle differences as the international community joins hands in fighting the epidemic, saying the Chinese military is willing to work with the Vietnamese side on fighting COVID-19 and strengthening border control to jointly curb the spread of the epidemic.

Ngo said Vietnam speaks highly of China's achievements in fighting the epidemic and is willing to exchange experiences with China on epidemic control, expand cooperation and safeguard the security and stability of the land border areas and the South China Sea.