China on Friday urged Western countries to drop biases against China and prioritize fighting against novel coronavirus(COVID-19) outbreak and save lives, because only cooperation can prevail over the pandemic.

People wearing face masks scan a QR code to submit their information as they return to Beijing, at an entrance of a residential compound, as the country is hit by a novel coronavirus outbreak in Beijing, China March 1, 2020. (Photo from CGTN)

Spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian said saving lives is the most urgent and important thing right now for the world at a regular press conference on Friday.

Instead of quarreling about things that do no good to the virus control efforts, he said all countries should cooperate to defeat the pandemic, as it is the common enemy of the world's countries, spreading wildly and threatening people's lives.

The comments came as leaders and officials in western countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and France, cast doubts over China's coronavirus response.

The spokesperson noted that in previous communications with China, France and the UK had both praised China's achievements in COVID-19 responses and showed support to China.