On 30 March, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke respectively with Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva and Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn over the phone.
Wang noted the grave situation as the COVID-19 spreads rapidly across Europe. China feels keenly for the peoples of the two countries and expresses its sincere sympathies. China and the two countries are strategic partners with a fine tradition of mutual support, and China thanks them for supporting its efforts against the outbreak. Despite its huge domestic demand for medical supplies, in particular to prevent a resurgence, China will overcome difficulties to provide support to the two countries as its ability permits, and assist them in purchasing supplies and equipment needed from China. China supports experience-sharing via video conferences between the experts of China and the two countries on outbreak control .
Wang underscored the hope that the two countries will truly protect the health, safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens there, including Chinese students, and provide necessary medical support to them. It is believed that the political mutual trust and practical cooperation between the two sides will be further enhanced through the fight against the outbreak.
Silva congratulated China on the important progress made against the outbreak. He expressed Portugal's readiness to deepen cooperation with China in fighting the outbreak. China has effectively contained the outbreak, and its epidemic control supplies and equipment are vital to Europe's efforts against the outbreak. Portugal hopes that China will continue to provide support and facilitation for its commercial purchase of such supplies. Portugal will make its best efforts to protect the health and safety of Chinese citizens and students there.
Asselborn stressed the need of closer international cooperation and joint response as the outbreak becomes a global challenge. Luxembourg supports China's measures and efforts against the outbreak, and congratulates China's achievements. Luxembourg thanks China for offering supplies and experience-sharing, and looks forward to China's continued support in the purchase and transportation of equipment.