BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese military has provided Iranian armed forces with medical supplies, such as nucleic acid testing kits, protective clothing and disposable surgical masks, to help the country fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, according to the Ministry of National Defense Thursday.

The shipment arrived in Iran Thursday, the ministry said in a press release.

Noting that the virus knows no borders, the ministry said the Chinese military will work with its counterparts around the world to tackle global security challenges and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.