Chinese President and British PM talk over phone about virus

Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke over the phone on Monday night and voiced mutual support in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, China's Central Television reported Tuesday. Xi extended sincere sympathies to the British government and people over their fight against the coronavirus disease and introduced China's prevention and control measures, CCTV said.

CCTV said Xi told Johnson that China is ready to provide support for Britain, and hopes that Britain can protect Chinese nationals particularly those studying in Britain.

According to CCTV, Johnson congratulated "remarkable achievements" China has made in prevention and control.

At present, the COVID-19 situation in Britain is grave, Johnson said, quoted by CCTV, and that Britain has been learning from China's useful experience.

The prime minister said he fully agrees with Xi that no country can wall itself off from the epidemic and all countries should strengthen cooperation, CCTV quoted.

Most patients who contract the new coronavirus develop only mild symptoms and recover after about two weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with no visible symptoms.

For older adults and people with underlying health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 381,000 people and killed over 16,500. More than 101,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.