President Xi Jinping has extended condolences to South Korea, Iran and Italy over the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Xi conveyed sincere sympathies to the government and people of the three countries in his messages to South Korea's Moon Jae-in, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Italy's Sergio Mattarella.

Xi also has extended condolences to the European Union over the outbreak to express the sincere sympathies to the EU and the people of its members.

Xi extended condolences in messages to the European Council President Charles Michel and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday.