President Xi Jinping orders resolute efforts to curb spread of virus

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered resolute efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus that caused cases of pneumonia in some major Chinese cities and other Asian countries.

Xi said governments and departments at all levels should put the health and safety of the people in the first place, especially during a time when China is experiencing huge mobility during the Spring Festival holiday.

Xi urged relevant parties to take effective measures to stop the spread of the virus, find out the origin of the virus and how it has been spreading.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also made important instructions on the spread of the virus, saying China will work with multiple parties and international organizations to deal with the new coronavirus.

China has reported 217 confirmed cases and seven suspected cases of this new type of coronavirus, labeled 2019-nCoV, as of Monday afternoon at 6:00 p.m.

The mysterious virus was first reported in Wuhan City, Central China's Hubei Province in December 2019, where it originated at a seafood market.