Staff members disinfect a market in Daegu, South Korea, Feb. 23, 2020. As of 4:00 p.m. local time, the number of infected patients in South Korea totaled 602, up 169 from the previous day. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has updated the figure twice a day at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time. The death toll rose from two to five. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

China is willing to work with Japan and South Korea to carry out joint COVID-19 related epidemic prevention and control, in addition to strengthening management at ports in-between and decreasing unnecessary cross-border travel, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, made the statement at a daily briefing on Tuesday.

China sends it's heartfelt condolences to the South Korean and Japanese people, and shares their feelings, Zhao said, noting that "China appreciates the strong support and assistance from the Japanese and South Korean governments and people since the outbreak began."

Alongside its own battle against the epidemic situation at home, China is willing to provide related information and experience with the international community especially with Japan and South Korea, to strengthen cooperation and offer help using its maximum capability during this extremely difficult time, he said.

We believe that the joint efforts by China, Japan and South Korea in the fight against COVID-19 would transform into tremendous impetus to deepen friendships and cooperation, Zhao said.

Epidemics don't have borders, and recently, some countries have taken necessary measures to step up epidemic prevention and control over the entry and exit of people. Such measures are designed to primarily ensure the safety and wellbeing of people both at home and abroad, and as long as such measures are proper, professional and based on scientific evidence, everyone should be able to understand it, he said.

Zhao also remarked that one of the key lessons that China has learned from its own epidemic prevention is that people should decrease their outdoor activities and avoid gathering in crowds, so as to minimize the risk of cross-infection.