The first batch of 4,000 live sheep from Mongolia to Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, arrives at Erenhot Port in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Oct 22, 2020.（PHOTO / FOR CHINA DAILY）

The first batch of 4,000 sheep from Mongolia's total donation of 30,000 live sheep to Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province that was hit hard by COVID-19 earlier this year, arrived in China on Thursday.

The sheep entered the country at Erenhot Port in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, where they will undergo quarantine and inspection, and will be slaughtered and stored before they are delivered to Hubei province.

The sheep entered the country at Erenhot Port in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, where they will undergo quarantine and inspection, and will be slaughtered and stored before they are delivered to Hubei province

ALSO READ: Xi says China, Mongolia help each other in face of difficulties

To complete the transportation and handover, the Mongolian government has allocated US$1 million through a special fund.

Sheep is the symbol of wealth and status in Mongolia, a nation dominated by animal husbandry. Donating sheep represents the best wishes of the Mongolian people.

READ MORE: China-Mongolia relations said to be on fast track

"During a time of disaster, those who can put meat on your plate are not always the rich, but they must be anda (the Mongolian word for siblings)," this Mongolian proverb best captures the spirit of "a friend in need is a friend indeed".

Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga, the first foreign head of state to visit China since the COVID-19 outbreak, offered the donation of sheep to China during his one-day visit on Feb 27.