Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission, spoke over the phone with US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar on the night of March 30 to exchange views on the two countries' progress and further cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, a positive trend continues in China’s prevention and control of the COVID-19, said Ma. China will continue to prioritize treating COVID-19 patients, take strict prevention and control measures and resume health services in an orderly way, he said. 

China and the US have had long-term and multi-dimensional health cooperation in many areas and through various channels, he said. 

In an open, transparent and responsible manner, China is working together with the international community including the US to combat the pandemic, he said. China is willing to exchange information, coordinate actions, and deepen technology and experiences exchanges with the US and join hands in supporting the international efforts in curbing the pandemic to maintain global health security, Ma said.

Azar spoke highly of China's great efforts and achievements in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated the close communication between China and the US on pandemic prevention.

China's experiences and creative measures in COVID-19 prevention and control are of great referential significance for the US coping with the current situation, said Azar, adding that the US is willing to strengthen exchanges with China, which will start a new chapter of cooperation between the two countries in the health sector.