The world witnessed a grim milestone this week, as the number of global confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed one million. As the pandemic spreads, so does dire demand for personal protective equipment and medical supplies. There's a global shortage of face masks, test kits, and equipment. Hospitals are out or running low, stores have sold out, and individuals are in need. China is doing what it can to meet this explosive demand under tight deadlines and trying circumstances. Some media, however, can't help twisting China's actions, no matter what they are, into something sinister.

Here's the reality. Now that the COVID-19 outbreak has stabilized in China, production efforts have ramped up. For example, China, which was already producing about half of the world's face masks before the pandemic, is now making around 200 million face masks a day. That's more than 20 times the amount it made at the start of February. Mask factories are "running at 110 percent capacity," according to officials.The Chinese government has also provided material assistance to 120 countries and four international organizations, including masks, protective gear, and test kits. Much more is on the way as China gets back to work.

But here's what you see in the media. Countries are rejecting Chinese medical supplies. And China is engaging in "mask diplomacy" or engaging in the "politics of generosity." Some say China isn't doing enough. Others say it's doing too much. Others miss the bigger picture entirely.

Financial Times published the article "Countries reject China pandemic product batches" on March 29. It reads: "The Dutch health ministry said at the weekend it was forced to recall 600,000 face masks shipped from China on March 21 after they were found to be defective." But that's not the whole story. The article doesn't mention that the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands responded in a statement on March 30, around the same time when the article was published. It said that some of the masks purchased from China "are not appropriate for the medical staff of the ICU," but the situation is being investigated. The Dutch side also "expressed sincere gratitude to China for its strong support and assistance" in combating the outbreak.

According to the preliminary investigation conducted by the Chinese side, the Chinese manufacturer informed the Dutch side the masks were "non-surgical" before shipping them out. The export customs clearing procedures also made this clear.

Regardless, the story quickly swerved into political territory when it reported: "EU's top diplomat has branded Beijing's use of the 'politics of generosity' in a 'battle of narratives' over who were the most reliable international partners in the global crisis." But what's the connection between the quality of Chinese equipment and the motivation behind Chinese assistance? Is the paper saying that China not only has hidden political motivations, but it's also trying to achieve them with defective products? When medical staff around the world are making do with plastic aprons, garbage bags, and even diving masks in front of a deadly virus, are politicians or editors seriously warning against China's "dark intentions" or defective products?

It's not just about politics but also greed. Radio France International published the piece "Face mask diplomacy benefits Chinese billionaires" on March 27. The headline suggests that Chinese billionaires are profiting from the huge demand for masks. But if you read the article, the only billionaire mentioned is China's richest man, Alibaba's Jack Ma. And no, he didn't all of a sudden start capitalizing on the crisis. Rather, he "jumped into action," reads the article, "providing two million masks to be distributed across European countries." He "pledged a total of 1.1 million coronavirus test kits, six million masks and 60,000 medical protective suits and face shields to the African continent." Yes, the billionaire donated all of these materials. If you read the headline, it still stands upright, like a roly-poly toy: "Face mask diplomacy benefits Chinese billionaires." But only by gaining gratitude, not profits, according to the article itself.

The piece adds that Chinese manufacturers are making money out of the pandemic. Well, yes, but not because they are greedy but because that is how business works in any part of the world. As long as the face masks and supplies are reasonably priced and good quality, nobody should blame businesses for doing business. Let's also not forget that nobody is being forced to buy masks from China. In these times of need, China has stepped up to the plate because it can. Take it or leave it. Hopefully whoever wrote this article looks carefully before putting on a mask, lest it benefits a Chinese billionaire.

Given COVID-19 is a true race against time with incredibly high stakes, not everything is going to go perfectly. And sadly, some people will always try to profit from disasters. But it's inaccurate and irresponsible to link these to specific countries. Biased reporting on China is nothing new. But in this situation, if China takes no action, what's the alternative?

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