China makes billions in medical imports to fight outbreak

China imported 2.84 billion yuan ($408 million) worth of epidemic prevention and control material between Jan 24 and Feb 11 to minimize the impact caused by the novel coronavirus epidemic, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed.

The country imported 870 million items, including 730 million facial masks, 1.54 million pairs of goggles, 7.41 million pieces of protective clothing and 2.22 million boxes of medicine, as well as 1.34 million pieces of medical equipment, the GAC unveiled in a statement on Wednesday.

Based on the data, goods donated by overseas branches of centrally-administrated State-owned enterprises, overseas Chinese communities, foreign governments and civil organizations accounted for 17.8 percent of the country's total imports of epidemic prevention materials during this period.

To further prevent possible infection, GAC will continue to strengthen health and quarantine inspections on inbound and outbound passengers and vehicles, as well as ensure speedy clearance of imported materials for epidemic prevention and control, the statement read.