Europe ‘working on all fronts’ with China to help fight coronavirus outbreak

European Commission says it is supporting efforts to contain the disease, including repatriating EU citizens and providing emergency supplies

Beijing has also said it will continue to work with the global community

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The European Union has sent 12 tonnes of protective gear to China to help fight the outbreak. Photo: DPA

Published: 7:59pm, 4 Feb 2020Updated: 6:11pm, 14 Feb 2020

Europe and China have both vowed to work together to contain the deadly new coronavirus, as the two sides prepare for a series of high-level meetings and investment treaty talks.

The European Commission on Tuesday said it was “working on all fronts” to support efforts to fight the outbreak, including repatriating EU citizens and providing emergency aid to China.

The European Union has also provided €10 million (US$11.07 million) for research to find a vaccine for the pneumonia-like illness.

It said in a statement it had coordinated with France and Germany to arrange flights for the return of 447 Europeans stranded in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, last weekend. The EU has also sent 12 tonnes of protective gear to China.

“We are also working 24/7 to help the Chinese authorities provide protective equipment,” the European Commission said. “The first supplies have already arrived in China this weekend. Additional EU aid is on the way.”

As of Monday, European countries had reported 21 coronavirus cases, 12 of them in Germany. In mainland China, more than 20,000 people have been infected since the outbreak began in December, and the death toll has reached 425. Hong Kong and the Philippines have each reported one death from the virus.