State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave an exclusive interview to Reuters Global Managing Editor Alessandra Galloni in Berlin on 14 February, and answered questions on China's fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak and other topics. When asked about how to win confidence from China's international partners in this severe epidemic, State Councilor Wang said the following:

This sudden epidemic has posed a grave challenge to China and the world at large. But the Chinese government and people have stood the test and won the respect and recognition of the international community with their efforts and sacrifice.

After the outbreak, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government immediately set up a nationwide mechanism to mobilize resources from across the country. We have taken the most comprehensive and stringent prevention and control measures, many of which are well beyond what is required by the International Health Regulations and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). With the Chinese speed, we are working day and night to save the life of every patient. With the Chinese strength, we are united as one to contain the further spread of the epidemic. Through these arduous efforts, the number of new confirmed cases outside Hubei has been declining for 11 consecutive days. There is a rapid increase in the cure rate, and over 7,000 people have been cured and discharged from hospital. The case fatality rate is about 2 percent nationwide and 0.49 percent outside Hubei. These facts and data show that China's response is both right and effective, and that by and large, the outbreak is controllable and the disease curable. As President Xi Jinping points out, we have the confidence, capability and determination to prevail over the virus at an early date.

China has been acting in an open and transparent manner from the very beginning and has been providing timely updates on the epidemic and pursuing international cooperation. To date, the number of confirmed cases outside China is less than one percent of the total. We have not only done our very best to ensure the life, safety and health of the Chinese people but also effectively curbed the spread of the epidemic beyond our borders, making China's contribution and sacrifice for global public health. WHO has commended China on multiple occasions for its responsible actions, speaking highly of China's decisive response and expressing confidence that China will overcome this epidemic. So far, leaders of over 160 countries and international organizations have expressed their support through phone calls or letters, and the governments and peoples of several dozen countries have donated epidemic control supplies. We are grateful for these acts of kindness.

As a Chinese saying goes, "True gold can stand the test of fire." Emerging from this test, the Chinese people will become even more resilient and united and the Chinese economy will achieve even more solid and sustainable growth. The Chinese people will continue to march confidently toward a society of moderate prosperity in all respects and embark on a new journey of modernization. There's another Chinese proverb, "Adversity reveals true friendship." Through this joint battle against the epidemic, China's friendship and trust with other countries will be further strengthened and deepened. We are all reminded that we live in a global village with our future getting interconnected like never before.