China Supplies 224.2 Billion Masks Worldwide... Emphasizes Contribution to Epidemic Prevention

Export of quarantine supplies such as protective clothing and masks worth 74.3213 trillion won
China's import-export statistics last year highlight the role in COVID-19 quarantine efforts

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] It has been revealed that China exported more than 220 billion masks last year. China, suspected of being a source of support for COVID-19, actually enjoyed a significant COVID-19 boom.

According to Chinese media including the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 15th, the total export value of China's COVID-19 prevention supplies last year was 438.5 billion yuan (KRW 74.3213 trillion). Among these, the export value of masks was 340 billion yuan (KRW 57.6266 trillion). Masks accounted for 77.5% of the total export value of prevention supplies.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Xinhua News Agency cited statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, reporting that from March to December last year, a total of 224.2 billion masks (including 65 billion medical masks) were exported over 10 months. Simply put, this is equivalent to supplying 40 masks per person to everyone in the world except China, Xinhua reported.

In addition to masks, Chinese media emphasized that 773 million medical protective suits, 289 million medical protective goggles, and 2.92 billion surgical gloves were also supplied as COVID-19 prevention supplies.

They also added that 212,000 ventilators, 663,000 medical monitors, 109 million infrared thermometers, and 1.08 billion COVID-19 test kits were supplied worldwide.

Regarding import and export statistics, Chinese authorities highlighted that China supplied prevention supplies such as masks worldwide to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The focus was placed on China's role in COVID-19 prevention rather than export amounts or growth rates.

In fact, Li Kuiyuan, spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs, emphasized, "China supplied prevention supplies worldwide to prevent the global spread of COVID-19 and protect medical personnel," adding, "China supported countries around the world fighting infectious diseases."

The Global Times also mentioned China's efforts and contributions to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The media stated, "Last year, orders for medical devices and home-use products surged worldwide, and China supplied them," adding, "This was thanks to the Chinese authorities' effective control of the epidemic."

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) international investigation team arrived in Wuhan, China, the day before. The international investigation team, composed of experts from more than 10 countries, is expected to conduct serological and antibody research related to the origin of the COVID-19 virus. Wuhan was the first place where a large-scale COVID-19 infection occurred in December 2019, and Western countries including the United States have pointed to Wuhan as the origin of COVID-19, raising the "China responsibility theory."