China attaches great importance to the safety of all foreigners in China, including US nationals, and stands ready to keep close coordination and cooperation with the US on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus, the country's top diplomat Yang Jiechi said on Wednesday.

Yang, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Yang said since the outbreak of the contagion, China has dealt with the disease in an open, transparent and responsible manner, and informed the World Health Organization as well as relevant countries and regions of the disease in time, including the United States.

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and people are making an all-out effort to fight the virus, Yang said, adding China has the confidence and capability to win the battle of prevention and control of the outbreak.

Pompeo appreciated China's timely response to the concerns of the US over the epidemic and said Washington is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China, provide necessary assistance to it and jointly cope with the international health security challenge.