President Xi Jinping reaffirmed on Monday China's commitment to doing its best to support African countries such as Zambia in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring social and economic development.

Xi made the remark during a phone conversation with Zambian President Edgar Lungu. He also spoke over the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday night.

Xi said China and Africa have stood firmly together in the face of the pandemic, supporting and fighting alongside each other.

African countries including Zambia offered China precious support in the early stage of China's coronavirus response, and China felt Africa's pain after the pandemic broke out in the continent, he said.

He noted that China was among the first countries to have extended a helping hand to Africa both in terms of materials and sharing experience.

Xi said he has made repeated appeals to bolster support for African countries, and China is expediting steps to carry out measures in this regard.

He expressed his belief that Zambia will continue to guarantee the normal life and work of Chinese citizens and businesses in the country, saying that solidarity and cooperation between the two sides have continued to move forward despite obstacles created by the pandemic.

Both countries must step up coordination to safeguard international fairness and justice, uphold multilateralism and defend the legitimate rights of developing countries, he said.

Lungu said he appreciates the support from China for Africa's fight against the pandemic, and he believes that China's epidemic containment experience and its outcomes in vaccines and pharmaceutical development will serve to boost the confidence of African countries and contribute to their fight against the virus.

Zambia will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and support the correct position and measures of the Chinese government over issues involving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, he added.

Xi said in his conversation with Abbas that China and Palestine are good brothers, friends and partners who have always trusted each other and offered each other steadfast support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns.

China will continue to share its anti-epidemic experience without any reservations and do its best to provide support in materials and technologies, he said.

It has been China's consistent and clear position on the Palestinian issue that it firmly supports the righteous aspirations of Palestine and endorses all endeavors that help to resolve the issue, he added.

Abbas said the record has shown once and again that China remains the most trustworthy friend of the Palestinian people, and his country will firmly support China's legitimate position over issues that concerns its core interests, including those related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang.