BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China stands firmly with the European Union (EU) and supports its anti-epidemic efforts, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday in a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In the early days of China's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, EU agencies offered sympathies and coordinated multiple batches of supplies to China, Li said.

As the epidemic is spreading in EU countries, China empathizes with the EU which is in the epidemic situation and facing difficulties, Li said, adding that epidemic prevention and control have no borders.

Under the current circumstances, China stands firmly with the European side, supports its anti-epidemic efforts, and facilitates its procurement of medical supplies through commercial channels, he said, adding that China is also ready to actively carry out international cooperation to jointly protect the health of the humankind.

Li also expressed hope that the EU will attach importance to ensuring the safety of and bringing convenience to life of Chinese citizens, including overseas students, in EU countries.

He pointed out that China attaches great importance to its relations with the EU and is willing to push forward negotiations on the China-EU investment agreement and cooperation in various fields to keep the healthy and steady development of bilateral ties. He expressed the belief that the friendship between China and the EU will be further deepened and bilateral cooperation be further expanded after overcoming the epidemic.

Noting that the coronavirus has been continuously spreading in Europe, von der Leyen said that the EU side, which is grateful for China's support in its fight against the coronavirus, has an urgent procurement demand for anti-epidemic supplies and expressed hope that China will continue to make coordinations and provide support.

She stressed that the two sides' joining efforts to fight COVID-19 and tide over the hard time demonstrate their good friendship and cooperation.

The EU is willing to maintain the development momentum of its relations with China, proactively advance the investment agreement negotiations, and deepen cooperation in economy, trade and other fields, said von der Leyen.

The EU is willing to provide necessary guarantee and convenience for the Chinese nationals including overseas Chinese students in EU countries.  ■