Chinese Government to Export 5 Million Masks to Korea Starting the 10th in First Phase... "Import Negotiations Through Diplomatic Channels"

"Chinese Government Directs 10 Provinces and Cities... Plans Continuous Mask Exports to Korea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] China will export masks to South Korea. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related departments have been continuously negotiating through diplomatic channels to stabilize the domestic mask supply, it is interpreted that the Chinese side has made a decision for humanitarian support.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Korea, the Chinese government will export 5 million masks to South Korea in the first batch starting from the 10th. General medical masks and N95 masks made in China are expected to be supplied to South Korea, which is implementing the 'mask 5-day rotation system' due to supply issues. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, “Our government has been negotiating import plans for Chinese masks through diplomatic channels to support the stabilization of the domestic mask supply,” adding, “On the 9th, the Chinese government notified us that 5 million Chinese masks would be exported to South Korea starting from the 10th.”

In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Korea stated, “With the Chinese government's decision, we plan to export 5 million masks to South Korea in the first phase,” and added, “Although the demand for masks remains high in China and supply is insufficient, China plans to continue exporting masks to South Korea.”

The Chinese government has reportedly instructed active procurement of masks from 10 provinces and cities including Henan Province, Shandong Province, Liaoning Province, Hebei Province, Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, Jiangxi Province, Shenzhen City, and Tianjin City, and to transport them sequentially to South Korea as soon as possible.

The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Korea said, “We have already notified the Korean government and relevant ministries, and specific matters will be carried out through connections between companies of both countries,” adding, “Unlike the ruthless infectious disease, there is affection among people, and we are willing to support our neighbor South Korea and overcome the epidemic together.” He emphasized, “This decision represents 'sumang sangjo dongjugongje' (守望相助 同舟共濟), reflecting the neighborly warmth and friendship between South Korea and China.”

Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming met with Deputy Minister Kim Geon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on the 6th and proposed to support 100,000 N95 masks, 1 million medical surgical masks, and 10,000 medical protective suits. The government is currently discussing the acceptance of quarantine supplies provided by the Chinese government. The Chinese support supplies are expected to be delivered to the necessary places soon.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, “We will continue to work closely with related departments and make ongoing efforts to support the stabilization of the domestic mask supply.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.