BEIJING — The international community has praised China's efforts against the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and provided support and assistance in different ways, according to China's foreign ministry on Jan 30.

The first batch of anti-epidemic materials provided by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, including 20,000 face masks and 10,000 protective suits, landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Jan 29, and were put into use in Wuhan around noon on Jan 30, said the ministry.

This is the first batch of medical supplies provided to China by the United Nations system after the coronavirus outbreak, it said.

The anti-epidemic materials provided by Belarus to China were delivered to Beijing Capital International Airport by a chartered plane on Jan 30. The materials included medicine, face masks, protective suits, gloves and disinfectants.

Japan has also provided China with a batch of anti-epidemic materials, it said.