Taiwan donates 300,000 'medical masks'

The Taiwanese government, as part of the its worldwide effort to help fight coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is donating 300,000 face masks to the Philippines.

A total of six million “medical masks” will be shipped to European Member states, eastern European countries and Southeast Asian countries who play a part in Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Taipei’s Economic and Cultural Office in Manila said the Philippine government will receive 300,000 Taiwan-made medical masks.

The shipment is expected to arrive in Manila via EVA Air flight on Wednesday, state media reported, citing government sources.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and India will also receive 100,000 to 300,000 masks depending on urgency and population, the report added.

The donation came as the number of positive cases in the Philippine surges to 5,200. Experts predict that more cases will be reported following the mass testing efforts by national and local governments.

The country scrambles to slow down the contagion as death toll climbed to nearly 300, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the Luzon lockdown.

“As the international community endeavors to strengthen mechanisms to combat COVID-19, Taiwan stands willing and able to collaborate with other countries, and plays a role indispensable in overcoming the pandemic,” MOFA said in a statement.

Challenging Beijing

Dubbed as “mask diplomacy,” Taiwan’s efforts to help the international community by donating medical supplies received positive reception around the world.

“Taiwan will continue to take concrete and substantive measures to show that Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping, demonstrate the compassion and determination of its government and people, and reaffirm its sincere commitment to participating in international affairs,” the ministry said.

At the risk of angering China, Taiwan’s international humanitarian assistance to countries badly hit by COVID-19 pandemic challenges Beijing’s moves to spin the pandemic through diplomatic offensive. -- BAP, GMA News