Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on March 16 at the latter's request, noting that the top priority now is for the international community to carry out active cooperation in fighting COVID-19.

Yang, who is also Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said in the conversation that the epidemic prevention and control situation has steadily made headway in China as a result of the arduous nationwide efforts led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The progress has fully embodied the advantages of the CPC's leadership and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, he said, adding that China has the full confidence, capacity and certainty to win the battle against the epidemic.

Yang noted that since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has been open, transparent and responsible in informing the World Health Organization (WHO) and countries including the United States of the situation and sharing related information.

China has also carried out international cooperation and provided some countries with donations and support within its capability, Yang said.

The international community has spoken highly of China's actions and made it clear that the Chinese people's efforts have bought time for and made significant contributions to the global prevention and control work, he said.

The senior Chinese diplomat noted that some U.S. politicians have frequently slandered China and its anti-epidemic efforts and stigmatized the country, which has enraged the Chinese people, adding that China strongly opposes and condemns such moves. He urged the U.S. side to immediately correct its wrongful behavior and stop making groundless accusations against China.

Yang voiced China's stern warning to the United States that any scheme to smear China will be doomed to fail, and any move to harm the interests of China will be countered resolutely.

China urges the United States to take into consideration the common interests and will of the peoples in both countries and around the world, enhance communication and cooperation with China and the international community, and jointly safeguard the international public health security, Yang added.