International cooperation cherished in virus fight: Minister

A total of 62 countries and seven international organizations have provided supplies to China in preventing and controlling the novel coronavirus epidemic as of Monday, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said.

The Myanmar government provided China with rice, while Sri Lanka donated black tea, Ma said, adding Mongolia gifted 30,000 sheep to China and Pakistan donated masks from hospital inventory across the country.

These timely and sincere donations at this difficult time will be remembered by China, Ma said during a news conference on Thursday.

Noting many countries are facing severe epidemic situations, Ma said China has also provided assistance to the best of its abilities.

According to Ma, China has provided nucleic acid testing kits to countries such as Pakistan, Japan and Iran, as well as the African Union, and shared treatment plans with many countries. The Red Cross Society of China also sent a group of experts to Iran.