Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), spoke over the phone with UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on April 22 to exchange views on the latest progress of the two countries' COVID-19 prevention and control and future cooperation.

Ma introduced China's measures in fighting the virus, noting that through arduous efforts the country has seen a continuous positive trend in epidemic prevention and control.

Ma emphasized that China has always fought against the pandemic in an open, transparent and responsible manner together with the international community including the UK. He expressed China's willingness to further close collaboration with the UK based on the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the phone.

China is also willing to continue to share information of COVID-19 and prevention and control experience under the framework of the United Nations and the Group of 20 and support the World Health Organization's leading role, said Ma, adding that China hopes to deepen bilateral health cooperation, work together with the UK to support the global fight against the virus, and safeguard global health security.

Hancock spoke highly of China's commitment to fighting COVID-19 and China-UK cooperation during the pandemic, and said that the UK is willing to enhance exchanges and collaboration with China and support the WHO's leading role.

The two sides also reached consensuses in technological exchanges in the field of health.