A shipment of protective materials was sent to Germany on Monday from Yizhou district in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, to ease its shortage of medical supplies as the novel coronavirus spreads quickly around the world.

The materials, valued at 100,000 yuan ($14,000), included 22,500 surgical masks and 150 sets of protective suits. They will be delivered to Cochem, Germany, Yizhou district's sister city since early 2017. They have cooperated in many fields, including tourism, culture and business.

Each box displays a Germany proverb - "Though separated by mountains, we walk together".

"We received material support from Cochem early this month to help us to fight the epidemic. Now that Europe been badly hit, we cannot sit on our hands. We must take action to help our friends in need," said Huang Danling, deputy chief of the district.