ADDIS ABABA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia said the Chinese government and its people remain committed to continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Africa, and Ethiopians in particular during this challenging time to deal with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia have commended Ethiopia and other African countries for their valuable support to China at the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19.

Ethiopia along with other African countries rendered valuable support to Chinese government and people in times of difficulty, fully demonstrating the China-Ethiopia Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the brotherly friendship of solidarity and mutual assistance between the two countries, said the statement.

The statement noted that China has, in its capability, been providing Ethiopia, and Africa in general, with different forms of support to fight against COVID-19.

It further said that China through its embassy in Ethiopia has organized the Chinese experts from Africa CDC to conduct multiple batches of training to the staff of the Ethiopian Airlines, aiming at improving awareness and capacity in the prevention of the virus.

In addition, the Chinese-Africa Business Council in Ethiopia has donated test kits and the portable molecular detector for COVID-19 detection worth 22,000 U.S. dollars to the Ethiopian ministry of health and the Ethiopia Public Health Institute.

The statement also recalled that the Chinese medical expert team to Ethiopia had briefed the features, symptoms, threats of the COVID-19, and the China's efforts against the epidemic, to Ethiopian colleagues, to share experience and deepen the China-Ethiopia cooperation on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Massive medical supplies donated by China's Jack Ma Foundation to 54 African countries arrived on Sunday morning in Addis Ababa, capital of the East African nation of Ethiopia, through an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight.

With a crowd of journalists and crews of different media houses, officials and representatives of national and international offices as well as diplomats and Africa CDC experts attended the arrival and delivery ceremony held on the premises of the Ethiopian Airlines Cargo terminal in Addis Ababa.

Speaking to journalists on the occasion, Ethiopia's Minister of Health Lia Tadesse noted that Ethiopia is working closely with China, whereby the East African country has been receiving medical supplies and also learning experiences from China.

Last week Chinese experts and officials from health and customs departments held a video conference to share information and experience on COVID-19 with officials and healthcare specialists of Africa CDC and 24 African countries, including Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Health Minister has also hailed the donation by Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation, which she said has significant impact in addressing the problem in Ethiopia, in particular and Africa in general.

"This shows the strong commitment and solidarity of these two countries and these two leaders to really bring significant impact to reversing the outbreak of COVID-19 not only in Ethiopia but also in the whole of Africa. So, we are really grateful and we believe this huge initiative will bring a big impact in the response activities that are being done by all countries," she said.

The statement also recalled that Huajian International has donated 102,000 masks and 40 infrared thermometer to the Ethiopian ministry of health and the Ethiopian customs in support of Ethiopia's COVID-19 prevention efforts.

Huajian has also donated 2 million yuan (283,226 U.S. dollars) anti-epidemic supplies in support of Ethiopia's COVID-19 prevention efforts, it said.

Stating that virus recognizes no borders and has no passport, the embassy has vowed China's commitment to stay beside of Ethiopia and other African countries in the efforts of battling the epidemic.

"The measures taken by the Ethiopian government are highly commendable," said the statement, "The Chinese here in Ethiopia will be exemplary in observing those rules."