China donated 2,000 fast test kits for COVID-19 to the Philippines on Monday to help the country curb the fast rise in infected cases, the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said.

The embassy said in a statement that the high-tech fast test kits, developed by China BGI Group, have a capability to issue results in three hours.

"The kits have not only been widely used in China's battle against the epidemic and proven to be quite effective, but also been exported to more than 50 countries including Japan, Thailand, Brunei, Egypt, Peru and the United Arab Emirates," the statement said.

The embassy reiterated that "China is ready to provide more test kits in the coming days."

"In light of the epidemic situation in the Philippines, the Chinese government and people, greatly sympathizing with the Philippine side, are very willing to lend a helping hand," the statement said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin on Sunday to thank the Philippine government and its people "for giving China valuable support when the epidemic situation in China was severe."

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The Philippines is now in a difficult time in its fight against the epidemic and is facing a shortage of medical supplies and facilities, said Locsin during the phone talk.

Noting that China is willing to do its utmost to help the Philippines fight against the virus, Wang said China has decided to provide the country with urgently-needed medical materials such as test kits and protective clothing, and will actively coordinate dispatching medical experts.

The Philippines has recorded 12 coronavirus deaths and a total of 140 infections. On Sunday, authorities placed the entire capital Manila under "community quarantine" for about a month.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)