Chinese help for virus gets wary reception in France

An operation by France's Chinese community to help the diaspora during the coronavirus outbreak by distributing masks, disinfectant and gloves has prompted questions and legal problems for some of its backers. Sceptical of the French government's response to the epidemic, the Chinese embassy, business leaders and ex-pat associations have handed out so-called "COVID kits", masks and other protective equipment to their compatriots. But this landed some in trouble with the law.

Among the masks given out were the highly sought-after FFP2 type, which in times of critical supply shortages have been reserved for medical personnel on the frontlines of France's coronavirus battle. Early in the outbreak, France had requisitioned all face mask stocks and production for distribution to doctors, nurses and caregivers. Yet on April 5, police in Paris detained two representatives of Chinese associations for possession of some 15,000 masks.

Two days later, three students were arrested while handing out Chinese embassy-sponsored "COVID kits" in the Paris suburbs, an operation which caused people to amass in contravention of France's strict social distancing regulations to stem the virus spread. FFP2 masks were included in some of the kits, along with protective gloves, disinfectant wipes and Chinese traditional medicine.

The Chinese embassy in Paris insisted in a statement that there was nothing illegal. It was doing "its best to defend the rights and legitimate interests of Chinese compatriots in France." The health crisis has strained ties between Paris and Beijing. France this week summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest a string of controversial comments by Beijing's embassy in Paris on France's handling of the coronavirus.