Local governments of Chinese cities and provinces have donated epidemic prevention supplies, such as medical masks, protective clothing and nucleic acid testing kits, to sister cities in 16 countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Thursday.

The countries include South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Pakistan, Iraq, France, Switzerland and Germany. The donations were made through international friendship cities and other channels, Geng said.

Meanwhile, Chinese local enterprises have donated epidemic prevention supplies to local governments, Red Cross and other organizations in countries including South Korea, Iran and Italy, he added.

On the same day, medical supplies provided by the Chinese military to Iranian armed forces arrived in the country, reported Xinhua, citing the Defense Ministry. The supplies include nucleic acid detection kits, protective suits and masks. 

The virus knows no borders, said a spokesperson of the Chinese Defense Ministry.

The Chinese military will work with the military of countries around the world to jointly address global security challenges and contribute to building a community of shared future for mankind.