Amid a sharp surge in nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients, China has reassured Pakistan of full support in the fight against the coronavirus while praising the country’s top civil and military leaders for standing with the Chinese people in their hour of need.

“I wish Pakistan could defeat COVID-19 as soon as possible,” Lijian Zhao, the spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, said in a tweet on Sunday.

Islamabad had extended full support to Beijing when it was battling the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, the central China city which had borne the brunt of the viral outbreak which has since been designated as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Earlier this month, President Arif Alvi, along with senior ministers, visited China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The visit was aimed at conveying Pakistan’s strong support and solidarity towards the government and people of China in their battle against COVID-19.

“Pakistan PM Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa highly appreciated China as responsible and determined nation fighting #COVID19. Both asked Pakistanis to follow Chinese experience. Thanks to PM Khan and Gen Bajwa! I wish Pakistan could defeat #COVID19 ASAP,” Zhao wrote on his official Twitter handle.