Mongolia's working team held its first meeting on Monday to discuss how to hand over 30,000 sheep to China, which marks the formal start of the donation.

Mongolia’s government will buy 30,000 sheep from local herders, and will make sure they are healthy, vaccinated and robust, its Deputy Prime Minister Ya. Sodbaatar said ahead of the meeting.

Flocks of sheep on the summer prairies of Mongolia. (Photo: Mongolian News)

Local news reported that the first batch of 15,000 sheep will be turned over to China in September. The sheep will be quarantined for 30 days and then transported to Erenhot, one of China's north ports.

In February, Mongolia's President Battulga initiated the gift to China to fight the COVID19 pandemic. Mongolian herders hailed the president's decision.

On July 23, Chai Wenrui, Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia, visited U.Khurelsukh, the Prime Minister of Mongolia's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, to coordinate the sheep donation. (Photo: Mongolia's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry)

A Mongolian said on social media, "More than 20,000 sheep have been collected within two days! The goal of 30,000 sheep will soon be achieved. This is the power of solidarity. Cheers to Mongolia-China friendship!"

(Compiled by Wang Qin)