China stands ready to strengthen professional communication with Italy and cooperate with it in the fields such as remote medical care and the development of medicines and vaccines, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang made the remark during his phone call with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Friday.

Wang expressed China's sympathy for the Italian people over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia in northern Italy, adding that China will support Italy in fighting the epidemic.

Many countries are tackling the epidemic, and the virus is a common enemy of humanity that countries need to work together to overcome, Wang said.

China has been fighting the epidemic in the frontline, and the epidemic is being managed effectively across the country after hard work, Wang said.

A World Health Organization mission of experts who visited China spoke highly of China's preventive measures, and believes such efforts have not only helped contain the epidemic in China, but stemmed a large-scale transmission in the world, Wang said.

Di Maio briefed Wang of the epidemic's situation in Italy. He said the Italian government is taking powerful measures to contain the disease, and hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation with China in fighting the epidemic.