NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi 's proposal for a common Saarc strategy to check the coronavirus outbreak came not a day too soon with China now approaching countries in South Asia with offers of support. Beijing held a video conference on Friday with more than 10 countries in Eurasian and South Asian region in which India too participated.In the conference, an Indian inter-ministerial delegation led by health ministry officials discussed ways to check the spread of coronavirus and briefed others about steps taken by India. Chinese authorities said they were ready to share their experience and knowledge with India in checking the spread of coronavirus.Modi held a video conference on March 15 with other Saarc leaders in which he announced a proposal to create an emergency fund of $10 million to help fight the pandemic. India is also supplying protective gear and other medical equipment to Bhutan and the Maldives. Foreign minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Nepal counterpart Pradeep Gyawali on Thursday to discuss efforts to combat coronavirus."China held a video conference on prevention and control of Covid-19 with the Eurasian and South Asia region. Senior Indian officials and scientists from the health ministry and MEA discussed the efforts in combating the epidemic with the Chinese counterparts," China's ambassador to India Sun Weidong said."China stands ready to cooperate with India in fighting Covid-19 and provide support and assistance within our capacity," he added.In line with its strong footprints in the region, China this week announced a $500 million loan at concessional interest rates to Sri Lanka to help the island nation, among other things, prevent the spread of coronavirus.China, which claimed to have reported zero new cases of local infection on Thursday since the outbreak in December, has also discussed with the Maldives assistance to fight the virus. "China is a valued partner and trusted friend that supports Maldivians when such support is most needed," Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid tweeted earlier this week.China has also donated emergency anti-epidemic medical equipment including a large number of test kits to Bangladesh.