BEIJING — To help and support Mongolia in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to provide urgent assistance to the country with testing facilities and kits for COVID-19, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Nov 20.

Mongolia has raised its virus alert to the highest level after a continuous increase in domestically-transmitted COVID-19 cases. The country has also imposed prevention and control measures to contain the spread of the virus.

"China is following the situation closely and maintaining close communication with Mongolia," Zhao said, adding that China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, and both countries have joined hands in fighting the epidemic and achieved positive results.

He said, in the face of the worsening situation, the Mongolian government and people have taken relevant measures to fight against the pandemic. The Chinese government has decided to provide urgent assistance to Mongolia with a batch of test facilities and kits for COVID-19 to help and support the country.

"China will continue to provide due support in light of Mongolia's needs. We hope and believe that under the leadership of the Mongolian government, Mongolia will overcome the epidemic at an early date," Zhao said.