Coronavirus: Xi Jinping calls leaders of France, Spain, Germany and Serbia with offers of support

Chinese president tells heads of state that Beijing is ready to do all it can to help Europe fight Covid-19, as death toll on the continent passes 5,000

‘Public health crises are the common challenges facing humankind, and unity and cooperation are its most powerful weapons,’ Xi tells German Chancellor Angela Merkel

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Chinese President Xi Jinping reached out a helping hand to four European leaders on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:00pm, 21 Mar 2020Updated: 1:57am, 22 Mar 2020

Chinese President Xi Jinping made an unusually intense diplomatic gesture towards Europe on Saturday by calling the leaders of France, Germany, Spain and Serbia to offer support in their fight against Covid-19.

The calls came as many European nations are facing shortages of the essential medical supplies and equipment they need to combat the pandemic that has already killed more than 5,000 people across the continent.

Italy has been the worst hit, with more than 4,000 people killed and over 47,000 infected. In Spain, the death toll jumped by more than 300 on Saturday to 1,326, while the number of confirmed cases neared 25,000.

In contrast, China has reported no new local transmissions for three days. As a result, the industrial powerhouse has been able to send millions of face masks it might otherwise have needed to Europe.

In a call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Xi said China was prepared to do all it could to help.

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