China has provided the UK with over 21 million pieces of PPE and more than 1,000 ventilators over the last three weeks, according to the UK government.

From April 2 to 25, the UK government said it had chartered 20 medical equipment flights back from China with the equipment.

The British embassy in Beijing is continuing to work with the UK Department of Health to source donations of medical equipment from China and bring it back for use in the British National Health Service (NHS). 

British Ambassador to China Dame Barbara Woodward said that she was "delighted that we have been able to deliver huge quantities of lifesaving equipment for the NHS and our social care services.

"Our strong trade relationship with our Chinese partners has meant that we have been able to source the right equipment and we have seen both UK and Chinese firms contribute to our joint fight against COVID-19," she added.

"We are working round the clock to bolster the NHS supplies and save lives and we are seeking further deliveries as a matter of urgency."

The British embassy in Beijing has reportedly been working with staff from the UK Department for International Trade, Foreign Office, UK Visas and Immigration and the Ministry of Defence to deal with the logistics and coordination.

The China Civil Aviation Authority granted the UK special permission to allow passenger airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to take the cargo.

London's Guys and St Thomas hospital was just one of the recipients of the supplies.

David Lawson, chief procurement officer at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are very grateful for donations from the British Chinese Community and for the support of the British Embassy in Beijing, both of which have helped to ensure a steady and timely supply of PPE and other vital medical equipment to help the NHS response to COVID-19."

Chinese organizations including British Chinese Community Zhejiang UK Association have donated just under 2.5 million of the PPE equipment, with the Bank of China being one of the biggest donors, sending over 1.8 million pieces of PPE and 20 ventilators.

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