BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said that he was following closely and was concerned about the development of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.

In a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Xi said he has noticed that Trump has rolled out out a series of policies and measures in response to the outbreak.

China understands the United States' current predicament and stands ready to provide support within its capacity, Xi said.

Xi also called on the United States to take substantive action in improving bilateral relations.

He president suggested that the two sides work together to boost cooperation in epidemic control and other fields, and develop a relationship of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. 

Xi suggested that the two sides work together to boost cooperation in epidemic control and other fields

China is willing to work with the United States and other parties to continue to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in playing an important role, Xi said.

Xi called for concerted efforts to enhance sharing of information and experience on epidemic prevention and control, accelerate cooperation in scientific research, and improve global health governance.

China has been sharing information on COVID-19 in an open, transparent and responsible manner with the WHO and countries including the United States since the onset of the epidemic, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China wasted no time in releasing such information as the genetic sequence of the virus.

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China, he added, has also been sharing experience on COVID-19 prevention, containment and treatment without reservation, and providing as much support and assistance as it can for countries in need.

Xi said that China will continue to share information on COVID-19 with the WHO and other countries timely

China will continue to do so, and work with the international community to prevail over the pandemic, Xi said.

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Epidemics know no borders or races and are a common enemy of humankind, Xi said, adding that only by making a collective response can the international community defeat them.

Meanwhile, Xi said that China hoped for the US side to take practical and effective measures to safeguard the safety and health of Chinese citizens in the United States.

Trump told Xi that he will make personal efforts to ensure that the United States and China can ward off distractions and concentrate on cooperation against the epidemic

Xi noted that there are currently a large number of Chinese nationals in the United States, including Chinese students.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to their safety and health, Xi stressed.

During the call, Xi also called for concerted efforts to strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, in order to stabilize markets, maintain growth, safeguard people's wellbeing, and ensure the openness, stability and safety of global supply chains.

For his part, Trump said he had listened closely to Xi's speech at the Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit on COVID-19, and appreciates Xi's views and proposals along with other leaders.

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Trump said that China's experience on combating the COVID-19 epidemic was very illuminating to him.

Trump told Xi that he will make personal efforts to ensure that the United States and China can ward off distractions and concentrate on cooperation against the epidemic.

The United States is grateful for China's provision of medical supplies for its fight against the epidemic, Trump said.

The United States will protect Chinese nationals on its soil, including Chinese students, Trump said.

The US president said he has publicly made clear on social media that the American people respect and love the Chinese people very much and that Chinese students are of great significance to the US educational business.