BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China said Thursday it is distributing 500,000 health kits, including face masks and disinfection supplies, to Chinese students studying abroad.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at a State Council's press briefing that the Foreign Ministry requires more than 280 Chinese embassies or consulates abroad to make every effort to maintain the safety and health of the overseas Chinese students.

Ma noted the 500,000 health kits consist of over 11 million face masks, 500,000 disinfection supplies and epidemic prevention guidelines.

Lyu Erxue, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, told the press briefing that the shipment of the first batch of more than 300,000 health kits would be completed on April 10 as planned to China's embassies or consulates in 12 countries including Italy, the Republic of Korea, France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Malaysia.