Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), talks with Italian Minister of Health Roberto Speranza via video link on Sept 1. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), talked with Italian Minister of Health Roberto Speranza via video link on Sept 1 to exchange views on further deepening health communication and cooperation between the two countries.

Ma said that China-Italy health collaboration has achieved fruitful results. The joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has been seen as an epitome of solidarity in combating the virus, he said, stressing that China is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in this field.

He hailed Italy's efforts to push forward global health development during its G20 presidency and said China hopes to further enhance communication and coordination with Italy at the G20, the World Health Organization and other multilateral platforms in a bid to build a global community of health for all.

During the talks, Ma introduced China’s latest progress in COVID-19 prevention and control, and noted that China will take more scientific and cautious measures and continue to coordinate COVID-19 prevention and control with economic and social development.

Speranza said that as the G20 Health Ministers'  Meeting is around the corner, Italy will actively call for a consensus to be reached at the meeting regarding global cooperation to tackle the pandemic. He also expressed appreciation for China's contribution to the global COVID-19 fight and said he looks forward to China's continuous positive influence.

NHC officials and Chinese and Italian ambassadors took part in the talks.