China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang said China wants Italy to reverse its decision to suspend all direct flights as soon as possible, as he met with Italian Ambassador to China Luca Ferrari to discuss the latest coronavirus developments.

Qin said Italy suspended flights between the two countries without notice after the virus outbreak, leaving many Chinese citizens stranded in Italy. He said Italy overreacted by imposing restrictions.

Last week, two Chinese tourists in Rome tested positive for the coronavirus.

Italy has the highest annual number of Chinese tourists in all of Europe, some five million.

The Chinese government says it's focused on safeguarding the rights and interests of citizens overseas and trying to bring those stranded back home.

The Chinese consulate staff in Italy has been working at airports and other places in recent days to help stranded Chinese travelers.

Ferrari said that Italy sympathizes and understands with the situation of Chinese citizens stranded in Italy.

He said Italy will approve the resumption of some civil flights according to the request from Chinese airlines as soon as possible and work actively to restore the normal exchanges between the two countries.