China and the Netherlands should strengthen international cooperation to fight COVID-19 and build up their support for free trade, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in a phone conversation with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Tuesday afternoon.

Noting that the two countries are facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Li said China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the international community, including the Netherlands, to better battle the disease and jointly safeguard global public health and safety.

Li said, during the outbreak, the two governments and peoples have offered each other support and assistance, adding that China stands ready to facilitate the Netherlands' purchase and transportation of medical supplies of urgent need from China, and will continue its tight control over the quality of export products.

China hopes, Li noted, the Dutch side safeguard the safety and the convenience for the living of Chinese citizens, especially Chinese students, in the Netherlands with concrete measures.

Li stressed that both China and the Netherlands support free trade. While intensifying the anti-epidemic cooperation, the two countries should step up efforts together to safeguard the stability and safety of global industrial chains and supply chains, guaranteeing smooth international transport of goods, he added.

Rutte thanked China for providing support and convenience to Dutch fight against the epidemic, which demonstrates the friendly ties between both sides to overcome the current difficulties together.

The Netherlands has full confidence in the quality of anti-epidemic materials produced in China, and will protect the safety and convenience of Chinese nationals in the country, the Dutch prime minister said.

Rutte said the Netherlands is willing to enhance cooperation with China to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations.