This combo photo shows Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, left, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. (PHOTOS / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on his South Korean and Japanese counterparts to work together to minimize COVID-19's impact on bilateral exchanges as well as economic and trade cooperation in separate phone calls on Wednesday. 

In a phone conversation on Wednesday night with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Wang suggested that on the basis of effective epidemic prevention and control, the two countries should help their affected industries and enterprises ride out the current difficulties, maintain the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains, and push forward bilateral practical cooperation. 

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Wang suggested that China and South Korea carry out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, as well as drug and vaccine research and development

Wang updated Kang on the latest progress in China's fight against the epidemic, and said that China thanked South Korea for its continuous strong support for China's fight against the epidemic.

Wang said the Chinese side stands ready to provide necessary assistance to the South Korean side and supports its government and people in fighting the epidemic.

Wang suggested that the two sides establish and improve communication and exchange mechanisms between their relevant departments, inform each other of their respective policies and measures in a timely manner, and carry out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, as well as drug and vaccine research and development.

Wang voiced the belief that after the two sides jointly defeat the epidemic, the China-South Korea friendship will be further strengthened and bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields will become more vibrant.

Noting that the epidemic would have an impact on bilateral exchanges as well as on economic and trade cooperation, Wang said the two sides needed to jointly strive to minimize it.

For her part, Kang, while briefing Wang on measures against the epidemic in South Korea, said the South Korean government has launched the highest level of response and President Moon Jae-in has visited the front line to inspect and guide the work.

South Korea is confident of halting the further spread of the epidemic and hopes to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with China to jointly meet the challenge, she added.

READ MORE: S. Korea to continue backing China on anti-epidemic fight

Wang speaks with Japanese counterpart

In a separate phone conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Wang suggested that China and Japan jointly ensure the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains and reduce the epidemic's impact upon bilateral cooperation as much as possible.

Wang said he believed that maintaining normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan would constitute an important contribution to the world's economic stability and development

Wang said he believed that maintaining normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan would constitute an important contribution to the world's economic stability and development.

China and Japan need to boost coordination to prevent cross-border spread of COVID-19 and effectively safeguard public health in both countries and the region at large, Wang said.

Wang urged the two countries to actively explore ways to strengthen international cooperation on public health within multilateral frameworks.

READ MORE: Countries urged to block spread of novel coronavirus

China is equally concerned about the epidemic in Japan and has provided necessary medical materials based on Japan's needs, Wang said, pledging further assistance within China's capability if necessary.

The two sides should further strengthen exchanges between counterpart departments and between experts, and work closely in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, drug and vaccine research and development, Wang said.

Motegi, for his part, said that as a friendly neighbor of China, Japan is willing to continue cooperation with China to the greatest extent.

China is equally concerned about the epidemic in Japan and has provided necessary medical materials based on Japan's needs, Wang said, pledging further assistance within China's capability if necessary

Expressing gratitude to China for donating medical supplies to Japan, Motegi shared the view that the two countries, as important economies in the world, should work together to safeguard normal economic and trade cooperation and ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

READ MORE: China to continue coordinating with Japan on virus fight

Motegi briefed Wang on the epidemic in Japan, saying that confirmed cases have emerged sporadically in Japan and in some areas, the epidemic has been spreading on a small scale.

It has not yet become a widespread epidemic, he said, adding that the following two weeks are crucial for Japan to contain the outbreak.

The Japanese government has formulated response policies and will take measures to contain its spread, Motegi said, expressing his hope that the Chinese and Japanese sides would continue to share information and enhance communication and cooperation.

Wang said that the two countries, as neighbours, should help each other.

He voiced confidence that Japan has the capability and conditions to effectively contain the spread of the epidemic and hoped the Tokyo Olympics will be successfully held as scheduled.