China reaffirms ‘tradition of mutual support’ to fight epidemic

China’s minister of foreign affairs on Tuesday reaffirmed the tradition of mutual support in the relationship with Portugal and showed a willingness to actively help in a telephone conversation with the Portuguese counterpart, Augusto Santos Silva, about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cited by official news agency Xinhua, Wang Yi, who is also a state advisor, said that the Chinese side identifies with the feelings of people in Portugal and conveyed deep solidarity for the victims infected by the new coronavirus.

“As strategic partners, we have always had the great tradition of mutual support,” said Wang Yi, who also expressed his gratitude to Portugal for the support given to China in the fight against the epidemic.

The Chinese minister said he was willing to provide maximum support to Portugal and actively help in purchasing medical equipment from Chinese suppliers.

Wang Yi expressed the hope that Portugal would effectively safeguard the health, safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens living in the country.

And he said he believed that mutual political trust and practical cooperation between the two sides would be further improved in the fight against the disease.

The new coronavirus, responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, has infected more than 750,000 people around the world, of whom more than 36,000 have died.

At least 148,500 are considered cured.

After the outbreak in China in December, it spread around the world, which led the World Health Organisation to declare a pandemic situation.

Europe, with more than 413,000 infected and more than 26,500 dead, is where the greatest number of cases are recorded on Tuesday.

In Portugal, according to the balance made on Monday by the Directorate-General of Health, there were 140 deaths, 21 more than the day before (+17.6%), and 6,408 cases of confirmed infections, which represents an increase of 446 compared to Sunday (+7.5%).