Mask Wars: China's Exports of Medical Goods in Times of COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak has cut China's supply of and raised the world's demand for face masks, disinfectants, ventilators, and other critical medical goods. This article studies the political and economic factors that facilitated access to Chinese medical equipment during the first two months of the global pandemic. Regression results show that both political and economic ties with Chinese provinces increased Chinese exports of critical medical goods to partner countries. Friendly political relations, such as local diplomatic missions and sister linkages, appear to work as a substitute for pre-existing economic ties at the provincial level. These findings imply that countries are well advised to diversify their sources or develop closer relations with China's provinces to secure better medical equipment access in crises.