TAILG Group, one of China's leading electric vehicle manufacturers, donated 10,000 face masks and other anti-epidemic materials to South Korea.

The company is one of the first batch of Chinese enterprises reaching out to help people in the neighboring country, as South Korea suffers a sharp increase of COVID-19 cases.

As of midnight local time, the number of infected patients totaled 6,284 in South Korea, up 518 from 24 hours before. Seven more deaths were reported, lifting the death toll to 43.

"In the fight against the epidemic, China has received strong support from countries around the world, including South Korea, who has provided China with $5 million worth of protective materials. As one of our overseas markets, we feel it highly necessary to pay back their kindness," said Yao Li, CEO of TAILG Group. "As the epidemic spreads, it has become a tough battle that needs global participation."

Half of the first batch of donations will be sent to Seoul, and the other to Daegu, the most seriously attacked city by the epidemic. The company is also preparing the second and third batches of donation to South Korea, probably around mid-March and the end of the month.

TAILG Group now has sales outlets covering more than 70 countries and regions globally.

"We would like to help if we receive requests from our overseas distributors," Yao said, adding they have received messages from Italy and Holland.

"We hope to promote the overseas image of China's electric vehicle brand. There are hundreds of electric vehicle enterprises in China, and all represent China's electric vehicle image when they expand overseas. "

Along with the donation to South Korea, the company has donated 1,000 electric vehicles to cities in Hubei province to ensure safe transportation of medical workers fighting on the front lines against the epidemic.

Zheng Hao contributed to this story.