WINDHOEK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China through its embassy in Namibia on Thursday pledged about 1,000 reagent testing kits for coronavirus to Namibia's health ministry.

Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming told the media that the kits are meant to help strengthen Namibia's preparedness to deal with any possible outbreak.

"We will offer and will do whatever we can to support Africa to strengthen the precautions. We have resumed normal production to manufacture masks or protection clothing. My government is considering providing some necessary material support for African countries," Zhang said.

The ambassador fears that African countries, including Namibia, with less advanced public health systems could be worse off should they not invest in equipment for early detection of the coronavirus.

"Through bilateral cooperation, China is willing to assist the countries in their national response plans," he said.

Zhang expressed gratitude for Namibia's solidarity message following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

"This is genuine support from real brother and sister and we value it. We cherish the support; it has given China great momentum to win this battle against the virus. The virus has no borders, we are in the same global village," he said.

Namibian health minister said the testing reagents would complement the testing kits acquired by the Namibia Institute of Pathology and have results delivered within hours.