China's is attempting to win political points from the coronavirus with 'mask diplomacy' — but it mostly isn't working

Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters

• China has been sending medical teams and protective equipment to countries battling the coronavirus, a strategy dubbed "mask diplomacy."
• While sending medical help is inherently benign, China seems to have another motive: to win points on the world stage.
• Officials at home have been praising China's "helping hand" abroad, and diplomats are reportedly asking foreign officials to praise China in public.
• Though China's efforts have borne fruit in a few places, many are still skeptical of Beijing's motives and don't see it as a trustworthy leader in the outbreak.
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Over the past few weeks, China has been sending medics, masks, ventilators, and shipments of other precious protective equipment to countries in the midst of the global coronavirus outbreak.

While the care packages will surely help those who receive them — the US, Spain, Italy, France, and Britain have all reported more than 10,000 deaths — they are likely underpinned by hard-nosed calculation.

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• China has been told by the UK that it cannot return to 'business as usual' after the coronavirus pandemic

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