China exported more than 220 billion face masks last year

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce informed that China exported more than 220 billion face masks last year. This equates to almost 40 face masks per person outside China, as demand for protective equipment has risen sharply during the new coronavirus pandemic. The value of these exports reached billions of dollars and became an important engine of Chinese exports after the COVID-19 disease virtually stopped the Chinese economy in early 2020. Deputy Foreign Minister Qian Qinging told reporters that China had exported 2.3 billion protective gear and one billion in test kits last year, in addition to face masks, "making a significant contribution to the global fight against the new coronavirus." The supplies of face masks alone were worth 340 billion yuan (43.46 billion euros), the customs office said in early January. "The volume of exports is equal to the provision of almost 40 face masks to every person in the world outside China," said Li Kchuej-wen, a spokesman for the customs office. China, where COVID-19 first appeared in late 2019, was also the first country to recover from severe blockades and restrictions to stop the spread of the virus. And it is probably the only major world economy to grow last year. However, another ministry official, Zhich Shiji, added that China was still facing a "tough and difficult" environment for foreign trade and investment this year.