BEIJING -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged all countries to avoid any kind of groundless suspicions and not to politicize cooperation in the global fight against COVID-19.

He made the remarks when holding a phone conversation with Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Facing the unprecedented crisis, all countries should rise above ideologies and in particular, avoid any practice to politicize cooperation over the disease, Wang said.

He said China feels the same way when the coronavirus caused heavy casualties in many European countries, and is willing to extend its sincere sympathy to the EU and its member countries.

Viruses have no borders and know no races, he said, noting that only international solidarity can defeat the disease threatening the whole mankind.

Wang said the two sides should fully carry forward the tradition of working together and helping each other through thick and thin.

During the tough time when China was fighting the epidemic, the EU offered sympathy and support to China, he recalled. Currently the EU is making all-out efforts to address the challenge, and despite facing a possible risk of rebound of the epidemic, China is ready to overcome difficulties and extend a helping hand to provide support and assistance based on the needs of the EU and its members.

Wang said he believes that the mutual trust and bilateral cooperation between China and the EU will be further strengthened through their joint work to combat the disease.