More than 20 international sister cities and institutions from countries including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway, Italy, Benin, Romania and Morocco have voiced their support for China in the fight against NCP, or novel coronavirus pneumonia, in Ningbo, as the city makes comprehensive efforts to combat the epidemic. 

To date, Japanese cities including Nagaoka, Masuda and Ueda have donated nearly 70,000 masks, 1,000 sets of protective gowns and gloves, and 600 pieces of disinfection equipment to the city in East China's Zhejiang province. 

Shintaro Fukuhara, mayor of Masuda, expressed full confidence in Ningbo's ability to overcome the epidemic and expressed hope that all government officials, medical workers and citizens remain safe and that the city can go back to normal as soon as possible. 

In a letter to Mayor Qiu Dongyao, Ian Curryer, chief executive of the Nottingham City Council, expressed the city's solidarity with Ningbo and extended his sympathy to the people of Ningbo and respect to the medical workers who have been on the front line of the battle. 

Ningbo and Nottingham have a very close friendship, he said, adding that the Nottingham City Council is doing its best to work with institutions and organizations such as the University of Nottingham to find the best way to support Ningbo. 

Kwon Young-jin, mayor of Daegu, said that he and the million residents of Daegu are praying for Ningbo. 

Kwon expects that China will work closely with the World Health Organization and other countries around the world to defeat the epidemic and wished the patients receiving treatment a speedy recovery. 

Phil Goff, mayor of Auckland, New Zealand, said: "We pay our highest tribute to those who are working tirelessly to tackle this unprecedented public health challenge. I am confident that Ningbo and the resilient people of Ningbo will show their strength and courage in this fight."  

"The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with China and the people of Ningbo during this difficult period," said Wan Heting, consul general of the Dutch consulate general in Shanghai.  

To support the fight against the new coronavirus, the Netherlands has contributed an additional one million euros to the WHO's emergency fund. Many Dutch companies and people have also made donations to China.  

The Ningbo government is trying to treat patients and avoid further spread of the virus, he said, adding that the consulate is ready to provide assistance and support at any time.