by Xinhua writer Tu Yifan
RIYADH, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health experts shared their experience in fighting the novel coronavirus with their Saudi Arabian peers via a video conference on Thursday.
During the conference, Zhang Yang, director of the international cooperation department of the Chinese National Health Commission (NHC), briefed the Saudi side on the latest situation of fighting COVID-19 at home and China's anti-epidemic measures, as well as experience in prevention, control and clinical treatment.
Zhang said that China will continue to share experience with and provide support to Saudi Arabia and the international community to jointly safeguard global and regional public health security.
Zhou Lei, an expert with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Wang Guiqiang, director of the infectious diseases department in Peking University First Hospital, elaborated on the virus' characteristics at different stages and experience in disease control, treatment and quarantine management.
Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's assistant deputy minister for preventive health, commended China's effective measures to contain the spread of the virus, saying that Saudi Arabia would like to draw on China's experience in their own battle.
Since the outbreak, Asiri said, his country has taken a number of measures to contain the spread and achieved good results.
Expressing thanks to China for its aid to fight the epidemic, Asiri said that the Saudi side is willing to strengthen cooperation with China..
A total of 165 more coronavirus cases were reported in the country on Thursday, bringing the tally to 1,885 with 21 deaths, said the health ministry, adding that 328 patients have recovered so far.
Both countries have contributed greatly to the global fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing said when concluding the conference.
The Chinese people will never forget the Saudis' timely help after the coronavirus disease broke out in China, said Chen, adding that the Chinese embassy has maintained close communication with relevant Saudi authorities and China stands ready to provide as much assistance as its capability allows.
"I believe that through our comprehensive cooperation, we will surely win the battle against this crisis and embrace a more promising future," Chen added.
