On 20 February, President Xi Jinping wrote a letter in reply to Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, thanking him and the Foundation for their support for China's fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and calling for enhanced international coordination and concerted efforts against the outbreak.

"Now is a critical moment in China's fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)," Xi wrote. "I deeply appreciate the act of generosity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and your letter of solidarity to the Chinese people at such an important moment."

"Since the outbreak began, I have called for confidence, unity, science-based approach and targeted response as guidelines for China's epidemic control efforts. We have rallied the whole nation and adopted a string of unprecedented measures to contain and mitigate the epidemic and treat the sick. These extraordinary measures are delivering substantial results. We are resolute in protecting the life and health of the people of China, and of all countries around the world. We are determined to do our part to uphold global public health security," Xi added.

"As I often say, mankind is a community with a shared future. To prevail over a disease that threatens all, unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon. The Foundation has been quick in joining the global action and has played an active role in the global response against the outbreak. I support your cooperation with relevant Chinese institutions, and look forward to enhanced coordination and concerted efforts in the international community for the sake of health and well-being of all."

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, co-founded by Gates and his wife, has worked with China in disease prevention and control, poverty alleviation and other fields for many years. On 27 January, the Foundation committed 5 million US dollars in emergency funding to support China's fight against COVID-19, and later pledged up to 100 million US dollars, part of which will help China accelerate the development of vaccines, treatments and diagnostics. In his recent letter to President Xi, Bill Gates commended the Chinese government and people for the strong epidemic response and expressed firm support to China in prevailing over the outbreak.