BEIJING — As the fight against a new virus shifts to Europe and beyond, China is supplying millions of masks and other desperately needed items to struggling governments, hoping to build political ties and defuse criticism that it allowed the disease to spread early on. Serbia's president plans to be at the airport this weekend to welcome a shipment of medical supplies from his "brother and friend," Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Xi's government has flown gloves and protective clothing to Liberia. More than 10 flights carrying millions of masks and other supplies are bound for the Czech Republic this week. China is touting its deliveries of ventilators and masks overseas and dispatching its medical experts to share the lessons of its success.

Source: International New York Times March 21, 2020 05:03 UTC