French, Chinese Presidents Discuss Coronavirus Affecting China During Phone Talks - Paris

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2020) French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, discussed the new coronavirus during a phone conversation, the Elysee Palace, the French president's office, said in a statement on Wednesday.

An unknown kind of viral pneumonia was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in early January and has since been confirmed by China and the World Health Organization to be a new strain of coronavirus. Those infected reportedly display symptoms typical of pneumonia and other acute respiratory diseases. The virus has also been registered in Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Thailand. At least 17 people have died and about 300 have been infected so far.

"The heads of the two countries have discussed the situation over the coronavirus outbreak, which affected China, in the face of which the president of the [French] Republic assured his counterpart of support," the presidential office said.

According to the statement, the parties also addressed relations between the European Union and China. In particular, Macron pointed out the key role of the EU-China cooperation in solving climate and biological diversity issues, as well as in trade in the upcoming months.

In addition, the French president highlighted a common responsibility of France and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, for settling international crises, including the Iranian issue. In that regard, the leaders agreed to cooperate to ease tensions.