Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Munich, Germany, Feb. 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

"True gold can stand the test of fire," Wang Yi said. Emerging from this test, the Chinese people will become more resilient and united and the Chinese economy will achieve more solid and sustainable growth.

"Adversity reveals true friendship," he added. As China battles the disease together with the world, its friendship and trust with other countries will be strengthened and deepened.

BERLIN, Feb. 14  -- China has won the respect and recognition of the international community with its efforts and even sacrifice in the fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday in an interview with Reuters.

The sudden outbreak of the epidemic has indeed brought a grave challenge to China and the world, but the Chinese government and people have stood up to the challenge, Wang said.

Wang noted that after the outbreak, the Chinese government, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, immediately established a nationwide mechanism to mobilize resources from across the country.

China has taken the most comprehensive, stringent and thorough prevention and control measures, many of which are well beyond what is required by the International Health Regulations and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), he said.