On Sunday afternoon, India received the biggest-ever shipment of oxygen concentrators from China. The consignment, which consisted of over 3,600 units and weighed 100 tonnes, arrived in New Delhi from Hangzhou. An Indian multinational transport and logistics company, Bollore Logistics India, was responsible for the successful execution of the delivery.
The shipment comes following a letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month. In the written note, Xi expressed his concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation in India amid a disastrous second wave of COVID-19 and offered Beijing’s assistance. Similar statements were made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.
The latest delivery comes following reports last month that suggested that Chinese state-run Sichuan Airline had temporarily suspended cargo flights to India. Moreover, a report by India Today, citing photographic evidence and documents, suggested that Chinese companies were sending sub-standard oxygen concentrators by altering the “specifications and components” of the devices, thereby “compromising on the quality and life cycle of the machine”. Interviews with Indian buyers from China were also conducted, with several reporting the use of cheaper alternatives for the components.
The document also spoke of the surging prices of the 5-litres and 10-litre concentrators despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by India. For instance, while the price of an oxygen concentrator made by the Yuwell company was $340 on April 30, the same device was being sold for $460 on May 12. India Today further noted that Chinese companies had been cancelling their previous orders and quoting higher prices for the old orders. One of the Indian exporters said, “Many factories booked orders in April and took initial deposits but did not deliver the products. Just after labour holidays they started to ask for higher prices for the previously booked orders”. In this regard, India had also lodged “a strong protest” with China. Indian Consul General in Hong Kong Priyanka Chauhan said, “Our expectation is that the supply chain should remain open and the price of the products should also be stable… Even though there is pressure on supply and demand, there should be stability in the prices of products. The prices of the products should also be forecast”.
Foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, however, has rubbished these reports, calling them “fake news”. Additionally, Chinese Ambassador Sung tweeted that tens of thousands of orders for oxygen concentrators are being processed by Chinese customs facilities and that Chinese medical suppliers are “working overtime on orders from India”.
Furthermore, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that the Chinese government has been encouraging its businessmen to expedite the delivery of COVID-19-related medical supplies, adding that the surge in prices had been a result of rising demand, forcing Chinese manufacturers to import raw materials.
Meanwhile, Global Times, a Chinese state-run media house, criticised India Today’s report on the sub-standard oxygen concentrators, calling it “extremely unprofessional”, as “Chinese enterprises as a whole have made the top contribution to deliver anti-epidemic supplies to India, both in aid and exports.” Hence, the article urged the Indian society to “respond positively” to China’s assistance.
While China has claimed to take a humanitarian stand in assisting India to meet its oxygen demand, it continues its aggression along the borders. Earlier this month, India Today’s Shiv Aroor reported that “China has quietly hardened its positions in eastern Ladakh.” Aroor quoted anonymous sources telling him that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has “reinforced its presence in eastern Ladakh depth areas with permanent accommodations and depots.” There are also reports that the Chinese army has set up a combined air defence system somewhere close to the Indian border.
Therefore, while China appears to be offering assistance to India in its fight against COVID-19, it is evident that the two countries’ tensions along their shared border are set to continue, despite outward commitments towards disengagement.
India Receives ‘Biggest-Ever’ Shipment of Oxygen Concentrators From China
On Sunday, India received 3,600 oxygen concentrators from China, in what represents the biggest-ever single consignment of medical supplies.
May 17, 2021
SOURCE: INDIA TODAY