Beijing, February 23, 2020, SPA -- Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed today unremitting efforts on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease epidemic and coordination in advancing economic and social development. According to Xinhua, the Chinese President affirmed that the epidemic situation remains grim and complex and it is now a most crucial moment to curb the spread. "The novel coronavirus outbreak is a major public health emergency that has spread in the fastest speed, caused the most extensive infection and is the most difficult to contain in the country since the founding of the People's Republic of China," the Chinese President said. --SPA 18:46 LOCAL TIME 15:46 GMT 0023 www.spa.gov.sa/w1272256