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.
The call for masks to send to China came as bushfires still ravaged eastern Australia and such masks were in demand by locals struggling with smoke and air pollution.
On February 7, the day Poly appears to have air-freighted a shipment of medical supplies to China, the World Health Organisation expressed concern about the global shortage of Personal Protective Equipment . The previous week the president of the Royal Australian College of GPs, Dr Harry Nespolon, had said doctors were worried about the lack of availability of masks.
“In these rapidly evolving times this situation is now reversed as Australia is in need. Currently we are now focused on helping employees, their families and the broader community here in Australia.”
Very disgusting media, do you think Australia has a billion masks as face masks only two years shelf life. These masks are shipped to China from all over the world.
shut up. it was not during aus conoravirus outbreak.
Wtf.? And they didn’t kno it was spreading? Fcuk we ra bunch of dumbasses!!
I am so sick of this kind of news.If u didnot want to sell,then DO NOT put it in market. U sell,people pay and buy!! Just stop the xenophobia plz
None stop hate against China & the Chinese community here. You are disgusting. How about scrutinising our 'innocent' government for once? It's up to the Australian government to regulate the market. They were well aware & chose to do nothing.
You paper are deflect people’s anger on China, and you are definitely racist. People will not die from the disease,but will die for ignorance and arrogance.
During Australian bushfire, no coronarvirus outbreaks in China. Could you please testify the accuracy of the news
Why not change your name to The Sydney anti-China Morons Herd? Then you will have more subscribers.
Goes to prove that China has become the global enemy. The conduct by those who gave preference to a foreign state over the place they reside and live is an act of terrorism.
So who exactly is in charge of ensuring Australia has sufficient stocks...especially when the extent of the virus was well known...Who?
How funny it is, Australia's news keeps telling old stories happened months ago.
During January when Aussie watching news about chinese suffering from virus, the australian media shown the GOOD Aussie moral quarlity, words in most of news full of Indifferent sneer, sarcasm and look at jokes. They question everythings about how Chinese saving lifes.
Aussie media never tell truth about time line information. After Wuhan has pass the wave and start to back to normal live, that's about 50 says later, late of Feb, China already start to export and donate masks and ventilaters. The Daily masks production is 1, 500million. THINK!
What I know is before the new year. Only China hongkong has the great demand for masks. None requirement from mainland. Chinese shop the masks and sent back to Wuhan only happen in January and early Feb by paying Market price or even higher. Aussie gained great profit.
They exported our masks, now we import their fake ones, great idea all because we didnt ban exports on essential items back then!
there was an outbreak there. i believe they were for medical purpose rather than for dust. now we imported millions of masks from that country. so when some country was in short of medical resources, Australian government should sit there eat bbq and watch them die.
When in the bushfires did our government appeal to the world and ask ex-pats for assistance with sourcing face masks? Kate_McClymont - that would have been a top idea.
Australian government recommand ordinary people and medic not to wear masks
Vermin.
Old news by racist SMH
Stories like this one have ceased to be news. Ceased to shock. This is the new normal.
AmandaPerram Is that why I can't buy face masks None whatsoever !!! I've asked my brother to send me some from overseas ! 😫
were we crying about a shortage during the bushfires?
Would be a breach of foreign ownership laws. They arent allowed to go into another exporting business without foreign invest review board approval. But i highly doubt anything will be done about it.
It's entered the absurd.
Crap. You're completely unreliable
The third time, you bring trends to hate China .I know you get the orders from American. Otherwise,I can not understand you report this for times. Bushfire time, only China need mask, normally export!!
First they give us the Corona Virus & Now they want to Give us dodgy face-masks & faulty equipment, W T F is going on? Australian Border Force seizes dodgy Chinese Coronavirus face-masks & other faulty equipment sold to us by China
Why doesn’t Govt come down on them renounce Australian citizenships as Australia clearlyonly 2nd to China in his loyalty
It also shows that Australian businessmen regard money as more important than Australians. At the same time, why such a large number of exports are not restricted by customs？
While you at it also check on Israel. There are reports that Israel are doing the same thing. They were more concerned about ventilators, presumably masks as well.
As the virus takes over the CCP move on to stage two of their plan.
Jail or deportation, Dutton AusBorderForce?
But Australia is now merely a Colony in the New Chinese Empire. They have bought up Au land, property, industries, & commerce and decanted 1.3 Million of their people to Oz. Get used to their plundering. There'll be lots more of it.
But we have millions of face masks here
It is time Australia puts a blanket ban on all Chinese investment.
And at the time everyone involved, including those in the government would have thought that this was great business. Because no one would have believed what was coming.
What sent to China during the bush fire 😮 surly that's wrong