On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and in response to Governor Baker’s call to support medical providers in the fight against COVID-19, Director-General Douglas Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO-Boston) donated 100,000 medical face masks to the Commonwealth on APRIL 20, 2020 at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) warehouse. This critical supply will go directly to health care professionals on the frontlines as they work around the clock to treat and save lives in Massachusetts. By taking concrete action, Taiwan has demonstrated its determination to stand with Massachusetts in this war against the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Tsai Ing-wen, ROC (Taiwan), announced earlier this month, that in addition to an earlier agreement of a weekly donation of 100,000 masks to the U.S. under a mutual medical cooperation scheme, Taiwan is also donating 2 million medical masks to the United States and 8 million masks to our friends around the world confronting the pandemic. Though still excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO), Taiwan believes that countries around the globe must unite, show solidarity, provide mutual assistance, and work together when facing this unprecedented global crisis.
Taiwan and Massachusetts share a long history of friendship and cooperation. The 100K medical masks are made in and directly shipped from Taiwan. This is also the first time that the Commonwealth has received such a donation of masks directly from a foreign government. Taiwan cherishes its partnership with the Commonwealth and joins hands with Massachusetts through this challenge.
In addition to the above donation, TECO-Boston also worked with the local Taiwan community to donate 3,000 cloth face masks from Taiwan, as well as handsewn masks through the teamwork of local Taiwanese-American mothers, to state and city government institutions including the MTBA, Boston Police Department, and Boston Fire Department to show our appreciation for all they do to keep us safe.
We are all in this together. In this difficult time, Taiwan stands with Massachusetts in our common fight against COVID-19. Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping! Together, we will win!