Xi called Trump on Friday and claimed that China was “fully confident and capable” of defeating the coronavirus epidemic. According to Reuters, the Chinese president has declared a ‘people’s war’ on the epidemic and said that China would respond with all its strength and the most thorough and strict prevent and control measures. 

The statement comes after Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist who broke the news of coronavirus on social media, passed away. Li, 34, received a rebuke and admonishment from Wuhan’s police, who labeled him as a rumormonger. The death of the whistleblower doctor has fuelled public anger about how China responded to the disease in its initial phase.

China has been grappling with the spread of the coronavirus epidemic as Beijing begins to resemble a ghost town. Twenty four provinces, municipalities, and regions in China have instructed businesses not to resume work before Feb. 10. Meanwhile, Hubei, the province at the epicenter of the disease, will remain closed down till Feb.14.