Workers deliver face masks donated by Li Shuai, a Nantong entrepreneur in Russia, to the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University on Jan 31. [Photo/WeChat account: wxntfb]

The first batch of medical masks donated by Li Shuai, a Nantong entrepreneur in Russia, arrived at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University on Jan 31.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Li has followed the progress of measures to prevent and control the epidemic. After learning about the shortage of medical supplies across China, he used his business ties to buy nearly 1.2 million masks and mailed them to his home country.

To ensure the badly needed goods were delivered in a timely fashion, he spent 40 hours contacting transport companies, delivering and checking the items.

"I'll send 500,000 masks back to Nantong, and 700,000 to other cities in need," Li told the Nantong Daily on WeChat, expressing his eagerness to contribute to efforts to battle the novel coronavirus.

"If possible, I'll try my best to buy and send more medical supplies to more cities in China," he added.