As China faces increasing isolation, with some countries closing off borders over coronavirus fears, an unlikely friend has emerged — historical arch-foe Japan.

After decades of war and animosity, donations and Japanese ballet dancers shouting their support are among the gestures that have endeared Japan to Chinese people and state media.

News that the Japanese government sent a plane bearing thousands of pieces of protective garments for the hard-hit central city of Wuhan received more than 170 million views on the Twitter-like Weibo platform.

The flight, the fifth of its kind chartered by Tokyo, was met with gratitude on the Japanese embassy’s Weibo account, but also concern for Japan’s own battle against the outbreak.

“You’re the best! You’re the best friend and neighbor of the Chinese people!” wrote one user. “But I hope you can also defeat the epidemic soon.”

“Keep some for yourself please,” wrote another.

Japan, which is set to host the Summer Olympics this year, has confirmed at least 79 cases domestically and one death, and more than 600 other infections on a cruise ship.

In late January, photos of boxes of donated masks from Japan bearing a line of classical poetry went viral on Chinese social media.

“Foreign lands separated by mountains and rivers, we share the wind and moon under the same sky,” the boxes say, quoting a Tang-dynasty text.

China’s foreign ministry said it was “extremely touched” by the poetic gift.

“The epidemic is temporary, but friendship endures,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, praising photos seen online of Japanese pharmacies with signs saying “Let’s go, China!”