Taiwan, Australia join forces on combating coronavirus

2020/04/01

Taiwan and Australia have agreed to exchange materials used in the manufacture of items critical to combating the global outbreak of coronavirus first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
 
 Under an arrangement announced March 30 by the Ministries of Foreign and Economic Affairs, Taiwan will make available for purchase at a preferential price—contingent on local demand and production capacity—3 tons of nonwoven fabric and Australia will reciprocate with 1 million liters of alcohol. The former is used for surgical mask manufacturing, while the latter is used for hand sanitizer production.
 
 Taiwan imports the majority of its alcohol from Australia. Although the local stocks are sufficient at present, the additional quantity will ensure supply stability going forward.
 
 According to the MOFA, the arrangement is a win-win strengthening the ability of both countries to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. As like-minded Indo-Pacific partners sharing values such as freedom, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, Taiwan and Australia will continue cooperating closely for the benefit of the people, the ministry said.
 
 The arrangement follows a similar one involving surgical masks for essential materials between Taiwan and the U.S. earlier this month.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)