On Apirl 24, the Globe and Mail reported that "the Canadian government says about one million of the face masks it has purchased from China have failed to meet proper standards for health care professionals", and linked it with the quality of Chinese masks. We have noted the relevant report and pay close attention to it. We are checking with the Global Affairs Canada and the Public Health Agency to verify the issue.

China attaches high importance to export quality control and the competent departments have recently rolled out more rigorous regulative measures. Export companies of medical supplies need to state in written or digital format upon customs clearance that their products have valid registration certificate for medical devices and products and meet the quality standards of their destinations. If individual problems happened in the process of anti-epidemic cooperation, it should be resolved in a practical and realistic manner rather than being interpreted politically.

The report mentioned that Toronto recently recalled more than 60,000 faulty surgical masks and these masks were made in China. The Embassy verified with the City of Toronto and the relevant official clearly replied that there was a misunderstanding between what the City was purchasing and what the vendor was selling. In fact, with regard to the relevant reports about the issue such as unqualified masks when China and some countries cooperate in the fight against the epidemic, after preliminary investigations by relevant Chinese authorities, we find that these countries mismatched or misused the masks. We suggest that the media should clarify the facts first before reporting.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Canada have been offering each other support and assistance and conducting anti-pandemic cooperation. Recently, the Canadian side has purchased medical supplies through various channels in China and sent charter flights to Shanghai to bring them home. China has been assisting and facilitating the Canadian side in its purchase, customs clearance and charter flight permits. The Canadian side has also expressed thanks for this on various occasions. China is willing to strengthen the cooperation with the international community including Canada in fighting the pandemic.