China exported more than 220 billion masks in 2020, which is equivalent to 40 masks for every person outside China, in light of the high demand for protective equipment greatly due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Getting millions of dollars in exchange for masks has become a major driver for Chinese exports, after the virus nearly froze economic activity in early 2020 and negatively affected growth.

Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce told reporters that in addition to masks, China exported 2.3 billion pieces of protective equipment and one billion units of COVID-19 testing equipment last year, in an important contribution to the global battle against the pandemic.

A customs official said earlier this month that the value of mask shipments alone amounted to 340 billion yuan ($52.6 billion).