Coronavirus: why China’s ‘mask diplomacy’ is raising concern in the West
- Beijing has sent medical experts and badly needed supplies to places hit hard by the pandemic in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia
- Other countries have also offered help, but analysts say there are worries about the motives behind the Chinese efforts and possible strings attached
But Beijing’s efforts – which state media has called “China’s solution to fight the pandemic” – have had a mixed response, and analysts say its “mask diplomacy” will do little to convince critics in the West.
Other countries have also offered help to those badly affected by the crisis. German hospitals this week said they were taking in critically ill Covid-19 patients from Italy and France.
The US Army Europe said it had delivered medical supplies and equipment – including hospital beds, mattresses and adjustable IV poles – from its base in the Italian port city of Livorno to the hard-hit region of Lombardy. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier that the country had offered more than US$100 million in medical aid to other nations – including long-time enemy Iran.
