LHASA -- Trains carrying the first batch of anti-epidemic supplies donated by Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region left the city of Xigaze and the regional capital of Lhasa on Sunday for Shanghai and Jilin province, local authorities said.

To show its support to Shanghai and Jilin, currently battling a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, Tibet will donate 100 tonnes of yak meat, a local specialty of Tibet, and 3,000 tonnes of drinking water to Shanghai, as well as 5,000 tonnes of drinking water to Jilin, according to Su Bin, the deputy director of the regional commerce department.

The first batch of yak meat supplies will reach Shanghai on April 12. The drinking water will arrive in Shanghai and Jilin in five to seven days, Su said.

Shanghai and Jilin have been offering pairing assistance to Tibet over the years. "The supplies contain love and care from all ethnic groups in Tibet. We hope the materials can help Shanghai and Jilin people overcome the difficulties as soon as possible," he added.