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Respirator diplomacy of Taiwan

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Respirator diplomacy of Taiwan refers to the exchange of masks between Taiwan and other countries, aimed to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

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President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen visits a mask factory

After the outbreak of COVID-19, the global demand for face masks increased rapidly. By the end of January 2020, the Taiwanese Government pushed out a series of decisions on masks, included export restrictions, compulsory appropriation and investments, to allow Taiwan to become the second largest mask exporter globally. By March 2020, Taiwan successfully increased its production of face masks from 1.88 million to 10 million units per day, carried out rationing, and became one of the largest markets for imports second only to mainland China.[1][2] In the middle of May, face mask production has increased to 20 million units per day.[3]

It also launched a hospital ship through the Pacific, providing ventilators and masks to nations unable to obtain medical support from other sources, like Palau.[4]

In July 2021, Taiwan donated 150,000 masks to the Brazilian state of Goiás.[5]

Diplomatic endowment

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On 1 April 2020, President Tsai Ing-wen announced that Taiwan would donate 10 million masks to countries severely affected by the pandemic, including America and Europe, along with any other nation that has established full diplomatic relations with Taiwan.[6]

According to the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry, as of July 2021, more than 54 million masks had been donated to over 80 countries since early 2020.[5]

Reactions

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Reactions from the European Union

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The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a message on Twitter to thank Taiwan for the contributions it made.

Ursula von der Leyen Twitter logo, a stylized blue bird
@vonderleyen

The European Union thanks Taiwan for its donation of 5.6 million masks to help fight the #coronavirus. We really appreciate this gesture of solidarity. This global virus outbreak requires international solidarity & cooperation. Acts like this show that we are #StrongerTogether.

Apr 1, 2020[7]

Reactions from the United States

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  • On 21 April 2020, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren tweeted that she was "grateful for Taiwan's generous donations to Massachusetts to help fight COVID-19."[8][9]
  • On 5 May 2020, U.S. Senator from Colorado Cory Gardner tweeted his thanks to President Tsai Ing-wen and further called for Taiwan to be immediately allowed to join the WHO.[10]
  • On 12 May 2020, Tennessee governor Bill Lee tweeted to thank Taiwan for its contribution of 100,000 medical masks.[11]
  • On 14 May 2020, U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma Kevin Hern, touting Oklahoma's relationship with Taiwan, tweeted to thank Taiwan for donating 100,000 medical masks to the state.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 陳莉雅 (2020-03-16). "如何讓本土口罩自給自足？一次「台灣共同體」的強制與光榮總動員". Initium Media.
  2. ^ 李宗憲 (2020-03-05). "台灣2020口罩之戰：總人口2300萬日產量挑戰1000萬". BBC中文.
  3. ^ 新頭殼 (16 May 2020). "口罩產量躍進 經濟部：每日最高已達2000萬片". 新頭殼. Archived from the original on 2020-05-24. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  4. ^ Sung, Wen-Ti (2 June 2020). "Taiwan's COVID-19 Diplomacy and WHO Participation: Losing the Battle But Winning the War?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b Staff Writer (21 July 2021). "Taiwan donates 150,000 masks to Brazilian state". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  6. ^ Aspinwall, Nick. "Taiwan Will Donate 10 Million Masks in Bid to Aid Global Coronavirus Response". The diplomat. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  7. ^ Ursula von der Leyen [@vonderleyen] (1 April 2020). "The European Union thanks Taiwan for its donation of 5.6 million masks to help fight the #coronavirus. We really appreciate this gesture of solidarity. This global virus outbreak requires international solidarity & cooperation. Acts like this show that we are #StrongerTogether" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Elizabeth Warren [@SenWarren] (21 April 2020). "I'm grateful for Taiwan's generous donation of masks to Massachusetts to help fight COVID-19. And I urge President Trump to fully use the DPA so we don't have to rely on foreign assistance for medical supplies & can return the favor to others in need" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Everington, Keoni (22 April 2020). "Elizabeth Warren thanks Taiwan for donating 100,000 masks to Massachusetts". Taiwan News. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  10. ^ Cory Gardner [@SenCoryGardner] (5 May 2020). "New ➡️ #Taiwan is donating an additional 100,000 masks to Colorado as part of the 2.28 million it is providing the US. I'm grateful to @iingwen and our friends in Taiwan for this gracious donation in our shared fight against #COVID19. #TaiwanCanHelp" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Bill Lee [@GovBillLee] (12 May 2020). "Many thanks to Taiwan for their generous donation of 100,000 medical masks. We're working to distribute this critical PPE to Tennessee's front line health care workers and medical personnel" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Kevin Hern [@repkevinhern] (14 May 2020). "Thanks to our state's great relationship with Taiwan, we just received a shipment of more than 100,000 medical masks. Thank you to our friends in Taiwan for this incredible donation!" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 December 2023 – via Twitter.


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