China's Xi wishes Trump speedy recovery from Covid-19

Chinese president extends sympathy to his US counterpart and first lady Melania

BEIJING:

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Saturday, wishing them a speedy recovery from the coronavirus, Chinese state television reported.

In a message to Trump, Xi said that learning President Trump and Melania have tested positive for Covid-19, he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, extend sympathy to them and wish them a speedy recovery, according to XInhua.

Trump, who announced early on Friday he had contracted Covid-19, was taken to a hospital near Washington later in the day in what the White House called a precautionary measure.

He has sparred with Beijing over its handling of the virus, heightening tensions between the two countries.

Trump has played down the threat of the coronavirus pandemic from the outset, even as the disease has killed more than 200,000 Americans and hammered the US economy.