Customs officers check medical supplies purchased from abroad in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 30, 2020. In order to help combat the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, the customs office of Chengdu set a "green passage" that speeded up customs checks of medical supplies purchased from abroad. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)
China expands global procurement of medical supplies to alleviate domestic shortages.
BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- China had imported more than 810 million yuan (about 117 million U.S. dollars) worth of medical supplies as of Sunday to ease domestic shortages amid efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, customs data showed Monday.
From Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, China imported some 240 million items of medical supplies including 220 million face masks, 2.53 million protective suits and 279,000 pairs of goggles, the General Administration of Customs said.
Customs authorities across the country have provided fast-track clearance at customs for inbound materials that will be used in the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
While expanding global procurement to alleviate domestic shortages, China has also encouraged domestic enterprises to resume the production of medical materials in need. ■
