UNITED NATIONS — United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General Fabrizio Hochschild on Thursday expressed his appreciation for China's efforts to fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

I'd like to express my deepest solidarity with the people of China, confronted with this public health challenge

Fabrizio Hochschild, United Nations Under-Secretary-General

"I'd like to express my deepest solidarity with the people of China, confronted with this public health challenge," Hochschild said. "We deeply appreciate the efforts of all the authorities, of people in China and elsewhere to combat this virus."

"As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the UN, this is yet another illustration of the importance of international cooperation," said Hochschild, who is overseeing the world body's 75th celebrations slated for 2020.

"Few problems are the problems of countries alone. We need international solidarity. We're all in this together. And when we work together, we can beat and overcome these challenges," he added.

The official concluded his remarks by speaking in Chinese: "Zhongguo Jiayou! Wuhan Jiayou!" -- an expression to keep Chinese people's strength up.

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The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) also expressed his particular gratitude and compassion on Thursday for all the people of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

"Wuhan people and Hubei province in general are paying a lot. First of all, I would like to appreciate them and thank them for their cooperation for believing that the actions they are taking protect the people and protect the rest of the world," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press conference.

"Doing this for humanity is something beyond words, and I'm really thankful for that and proud of what they're doing and much gratitude," Tedros said.

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"We are in it together and with this kind of solidarity and thinking for one another; we're one human race. I know we will defeat this virus," said the WHO chief.