China on Thursday commended people across the world, especially those young people who support the Chinese people in combating the novel coronavirus, expressing gratitude for their kindness and compassion.

Recently, a flash mob themed "hug Chinese" was initiated by young people in Naples, Italy to call for no discrimination, and was joined by a lot of people.

A Japanese girl wore a qipao on a Tokyo street, calling on people to donate to Wuhan and saying "What's horrible is the virus, not China."

Videos online show that in a British school, students sang the Chinese song, Fill the World with Love, while young men and women in Germany chanted "I am China" to encourage global efforts in fighting the virus, and Ethiopian students cheered, "Say strong, China".

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that "We give 'thumbs up' to those heartwarming videos, and commend and thank all those people across the world, especially the youth, for their integrity, kindness and courage, as well as compassion, that were demonstrated in their voluntary acts."

Through such examples, they call for conscience and justice, reject prejudice and unfairness, and pass on confidence and strengthen, he said at a daily online news briefing.

According to Geng, the United Nations' secretary-general, director-general of the World Health Organization and many high-level officials of international institutions and foreign governments have openly called for avoiding discrimination, stigmatization and overreaction when dealing with the epidemic.

Noting that the ruthless virus brings out warmth in humanity, and true friendship stands the test of adversity, Geng said he believes sincerity and kindness will overcome estrangement, while care and compassion will not be shadowed by panic and fear.

With the understanding and support of people around the globe, the Chinese people will defeat the epidemic in the end, he added.