Serbia's been helping Italy in its fight against the coronavirus. It's sent eight planeloads of medical supplies to Europe's worst affected country. But Serbia has also received assistance from a number of countries, including two testing labs, funded by Chinese donors. CGTN's Aljoša Milenković has more from Belgrade.

It's late at night in Belgrade, but medical workers are still hard at work, bringing in samples to test for Covid-19. They're being analysed at this state of the art laboratory, donated by Chinese companies and individuals.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC Belgrade "This is the biggest lab in the Balkans capable of detecting Covid-19 virus. It can process up to two thousand samples a day, nearly doubling the combined testing capacity of all labs in Serbia."

The second - smaller lab, in the southern town of Nis, can handle up to a thousand samples a day. The tests are over 95-percent accurate.

TERENCE XIONG Vice President, BGI Group "This laboratory today detects the coronavirus Covid-19. But, it can easily be transformed into a laboratory detecting other pathogens, like flu or other viruses or even other pathogens."

Chinese genome company BGI was on the frontline of Covid-19 detection in Wuhan, establishing the biggest testing labs in the city, and setting up labs in many other countries. Here, the firm's scientists are working with a group of Serbian medical researchers. Behind these tightly sealed windows, contamination is almost impossible.  

ANA DORDEVIC Team Leader, Fire Eye Lab "They are not afraid of the virus actually, they don't have much reason to be afraid of the virus because the people behind me are dressed in something called BSL3 or Biological Safety Level 3. It is the level of their protection, so they are absolutely protected from any possibility to be contaminated with the virus."

Serbian officials say the country's outbreak has peaked. But as lockdown measures are eased, widespread testing and screening remain the key to preventing a second wave. Aljoša Milenković, CGTN, Belgrade.