Chinese City Helped Beijing Avoid Scrutiny By Asking Australian Partner for COVID-19 PPE, Councillor Says

A Wuhan resident reacts as a medical assistance team from Yunnan province depart after helping with the COVID-19 coronavirus recovery effort in Wuhan, China, on March 18, 2020. AFP via Getty Images

An Australian regional city councillor has accused a local government in China of helping Beijing avoid international scrutiny for the COVID-19 outbreak after its officials asked his city for help purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) to send to China in January.

Speaking at the Wagga Wagga extraordinary council meeting (pdf) in regional Australia on April 22, councillor Paul Funnell said the “Chinese Communist Party (CCP) bypassed the proper channels and tried to get a local government to help out on the quiet” when it sought help to purchase face masks and related items from Australia.