Billions of face masks sent to China during Australian bushfire crisis

[jmbar2]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

More than two billion face masks sourced from countries around the world including Australia were sent to China at the height of the coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, according to official figures released by the Chinese customs service.

Employees of Chinese state-owned companies were directed to purchase whatever they could find in the way of masks and protective clothing to send back home in a massive humanitarian effort.

.........

One of the groups in Australia which sprang into action was the Poly Group, a Chinese government-run global conglomerate which started off as a front company for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army but has since moved into businesses including arms dealing and property development

..........
Yet another Poly staffer reported seeking assistance from relatives in Japan, while a senior Poly executive in the US messaged that there were lots of masks available there and that 12,000 would cost $US6266.



Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/national/billions-of-face-masks-sent-to-china-during-australian-bushfire-crisis-20200402-p54gjh.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1585853754

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Similar activity reported throughout eastern Europe.

This is a very ugly story that needs a deeper investigation of their activities and partners in the US.

[Texaswitchy]

1. Money before people.

Needed to.be stockpiled.

[jmbar2]

2. Can't help but wonder if Moscow Mitch and wife are involved

[FailureToCommunicate]

3. Yes! That would not surprise me.

We've got to make sure Mitch gets to "spend more time with his family" come November and January.

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Please explain.

These materials were in desperate need in China at the time. It's not like they hoarded it for re-sale later on.

Australia also needed them, but it doesn't look like there was anything like racketeering or war profiteering going on. They needed and were willing to pay.

The Australian government was in a position to buy them as well, and didn't.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. This is what we were finding out as customers at Lowes, but some DUers weren't

believing us.

"Employees of Chinese state-owned companies were directed to purchase whatever they could find in the way of masks and protective clothing to send back home in a massive humanitarian effort."

"Between January 24 and February 29, the National Customs in China inspected and released 2.46 billion pieces of epidemic prevention and control materials, including 2.02 billion masks and 25.38 million items of protective clothing. The official report also states the value of these supplies was worth 8.2 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion)."

So, not only was our government sleeping at the tiller, but they were helping the Chinese with this endeavor with the 18 tons of PPE that were sent to China in early February!