Chinese President Xi Jinping called on G-20 leaders for greater coordination to restore confidence in global growth in face of the impact of the coronavirus, according to a state media transcript of his remarks on Thursday.
The move comes as ties between Washington and Beijing grow more strained, with both sides trading barbs over who is to blame for the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak told the self-employed: "you have not been forgotten," as he announced plans to help those who have seen their work dry up amid a national lockdown.
PetroChina, also China's second-largest refiner, cut refinery operations significantly in February after China became the first country to suffer from the outbreak of the conoronavirus.
Major outbreaks in so-called hot spots such as New York threaten to overwhelm the local hospital systems, which have a limited number of beds, staff and equipment.
Vice President Mike Pence said that the task force will share "a range of recommendations and additional guidance for going forward" with the next steps in its efforts to blunt the impact of the coronavirus.
Total worldwide debt is expected to continue growing over the coming months, despite having just climbed to a fresh all-time high. Given the three previous waves of global debt accumulation have all ended with financial crises, CNBC's Sam Meredith takes a look at the risks associated with the latest build-up.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads throughout the United States and the world, Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield said in an internal note to employees, "We got this. Take care of yourselves, take care of your families, be a good partner. It is fine to work irregular or reduced hours. It is fine to take time out when you need it."