Chinese President Xi Jinping assured his U.S. counterpart that China was doing all it could to contain the virus that has killed almost 640 people.<br /><br />China was gradually achieving results and was confident it could defeat the epidemic with no long-term economic consequences, Xi told President Donald Trump in a telephone call, according to state television.<br /><br />State media reported that Xi had earlier declared a "people's war" on the virus, saying China had responded with all its strength and "the most thorough and strict prevention and control measures".<br />
