China won’t restrict exports of medical goods needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, a government spokesman said today, amid global tension over scarce masks and ventilators. China, the biggest maker of surgical masks and other products, announced last week it would start inspecting exports to make sure they meet quality standards following Western complaints some test kits and other products were faulty. “China has not and will not restrict the export of epidemic prevention materials,” said a Commerce Ministry spokesman, Gao Feng. The Chinese customs agency said last week it would start treating masks, ventilators, surgical gowns, goggles and other supplies as medical goods. The government said goods will be inspected to confirm they meet quality standards before they are exported.-AP

Source: The Standard April 16, 2020 10:41 UTC