BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan need to boost coordination to prevent cross-border spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and effectively safeguard public health in both countries and the region at large, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night.

In a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Wang suggested that China and Japan jointly ensure the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains and reduce the COVID-19 epidemic's impact upon bilateral cooperation as much as possible.

Wang said he believes Japan has the capability and conditions to effectively contain the spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic and wishes the successful hosting of the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled.

Wang also urged the two countries to actively explore ways to strengthen international cooperation on public health within multilateral frameworks.

Wang said he believes that maintaining normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan constitutes an important contribution to the world's economic stability and development.  ■