SHANGHAI — An Iranian diplomat has spoken highly of the support Chinese people and enterprises have provided to Iran amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"During the past three weeks when the novel coronavirus spread in Iran, we have received tons of donated goods from the Chinese people," Ramazan Parvaz, consul general of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Shanghai, said on March 18. "It is more than our expectations and surprised and impressed me."

"I believe the energy and strong sympathy that we received from all walks of life in China is more important than the quantity of donations," said Parvaz.

The diplomat said that five batches of donated goods had been sent to Iran in the past weeks, including 10 tons of masks, protective clothes, traditional Chinese medicine and other medical supplies.

On March 4, the Iranian Embassy in China announced to set up a donation channel on China's social media platform Weibo and raised 4 million yuan (about $567,000) within 24 hours. China has also sent medical experts to Iran to help the country fight the coronavirus.

In Shanghai, the Sichuan Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and Shanghai Islamic Association both donated masks to Iran. Shanghai-based companies have also donated more than 500,000 masks to the virus-hit country.

"We received unbelievable companionship, unforgettable support and solidarity from people here," Parvaz said.