UK PM Johnson, Chinese President Xi wish Trump quick recovery

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chinese President Xi Jinping have wished quick recovery to US President Donald Trump, who was moved to a military hospital on Friday after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Boris Johnson said he has no doubt that US President Donald Trump will make a very strong recovery from Covid-19, calling him a very "resilient character".

Johnson, who himself was hospitalised with the coronavirus in April, was speaking to reporters ahead of a call about Brexit with the European Union later on Saturday.

"I've no doubt that he will, he'll make a very strong recovery," said Johnson. "He's a naturally obviously very resilient character and I'm sure he'll come through it very well."

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Saturday, wishing them a speedy recovery from the coronavirus, Chinese state television reported.

Trump, who announced early on Friday he had contracted Covid-19, was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, later in the day in what the White House called a precautionary measure.

Trump has also sparred with Beijing over its handling of the virus, heightening tensions between the two countries.