Coronavirus: UAE to help China with medical supplies

The UAE has expressed its full confidence in China’s ability to contain the outbreak.

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The UAE is working to ensure China has enough medical supplies to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation reaffirmed the UAE’s support to China and expressed its full confidence in the country’s ability to contain the outbreak, Wam reported.

More than 20,000 people in China have been infected with the virus and at least 425 people have died so far.

The UAE is "fully and continuously" prepared to provide its resources and expertise to help China combat the spread of the virus, the ministry said.

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"Under the guidance of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and in keeping with the comprehensive and special strategic partnership shared by both countries, [the UAE] is working with the relevant authorities in the People's Republic of China to co-operate and help ensure the availability of necessary medical supplies to combat the outbreak," it said.

Hua Chunying, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, said “what China urgently needs at present are medical masks, protective suits and safety goggles”.

Factories in China are capable of producing up to 20 million masks a day but are currently operating at between 60 to 70 per capacity only, according to reports.

While it is unclear why the factories are not operating at full capacity, it could be linked to China decision to extend the Lunar New Year holiday to curb the spread of the virus.

Moreover, stocks remain low due to panic buying.

Hubei, the province at the centre of the outbreak, and several other cities with a population of more than 300 million, have made it compulsory to wear masks in public.