CAIRO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China not only cares about combating COVID-19 at home but also seeks to contribute to fighting the novel coronavirus abroad, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said on Thursday.

"China has sent medical expert groups to Iran, Iraq and Italy to help combat COVID-19 and shares relevant information, including medical treatment plans, with the World Health Organization and various countries," Liao said during his fifth press conference in Cairo on the virus.

The Chinese ambassador highlighted the growing medical cooperation between China and Egypt in facing the crisis, stressing that China "will continue to strengthen communication and close cooperation to provide necessary assistance to Egypt."

Egypt announced on Thursday the discovery of 13 new COVID-19 cases, raising the number of the coronavirus cases in the country to 80, including two deaths.

The ambassador noted that China has been working hard on controlling the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and has applied the most advanced technologies in dealing with the pandemic.

"China's 5G technology has been applied, such as conducting remote consultations and collecting information. If Egypt hopes to develop its own 5G technology in the future, Chinese companies will provide support and assistance," Liao said.

Meanwhile, the ambassador called for intensified joint global efforts and close cooperation to combat the coronavirus.

"The virus affects not only people's health, but also global politics, economy and culture. No one on this earth can survive alone, and this is a profound reality revealed by this pandemic," the Chinese ambassador said.