MOSCOW - Steps Russia is taking to minimize the risks of the novel coronavirus spreading to its territory are being coordinated with Chinese partners, and any discriminatory measures are out of the question, the Kremlin said.
"We value our relations with the People's Republic of China. All measures are being coordinated with the Chinese side, and the Chinese leadership is being informed of them via diplomatic channels. Of course, we stand in total solidarity with our Chinese friends at this difficult time for China," Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
Russia is extending assistance to China and is offering other support, he said.
"Therefore, of course, any measures of a discriminatory nature are out of the question," Peskov said.
Peskov additionally said he was not aware of measures in Moscow such as "isolation and raids to isolate Chinese nationals."
"I haven't seen such statements," he said.
However, necessary measures should be taken and the main objective is to "protect Russians and our country from the spread of coronavirus as far as possible," Peskov said.
"It's possible to say that these measures are displaying their effectiveness. Therefore, measures should, of course, be taken, and you'd be better to ask the [coronavirus response] taskforce in the government about the specific composition of these measures," he said. (Interfax)