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BEIJING, Feb. 13-- Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday, with both sides expressing confidence in China's victory in fighting the novel coronavirus epidemic. Calling Mahathir an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi said that as the Chinese people are sparing no effort in combating the epidemic, the prime minister's proposal to have a phone conversation with him at the critical moment reflects Malaysia's friendly feelings and support for China. The epidemic will inevitably affect bilateral regular exchanges for the moment, but it will by no means shake the profound friendship between the people of the two countries, Xi said. While jointly tackling the challenges brought by the epidemic, Xi said, the two sides should continue to deepen their relationship, especially cooperation on the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and create more cooperation results for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples. Xi said that since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the Chinese government has paid high attention to the situation, mobilized the whole country, united as one and taken the most comprehensive, thorough and rigorous measures on epidemic prevention and control. Xi said China's efforts have achieved positive results, with the fatality rate kept low, continuous breakthroughs achieved in treatments and the recovery rate steadily rising. | 
