CHINA is selling masks to protect against coronavirus to high-bidding countries including America - as the outbreak reached pandemic levels around the world, it has been revealed.

Protective kit bound for France was rerouted to the US "on the runway" after Americans offered "three or four times the price in cash", it has been reported.

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4 Tonnes of medical supplies (pictured) were shipped from Sydney to China at the request of Beijing-backed property giant Risland Credit: Sydney Today

4 Greenland sent HR and management staff out to buy the medical supplies before hoarding them at its Sydney headquarters Credit: Sydney Today

French officials have now complained about the masks being sold on.

Jean Rottner, head of France's Grand Est region, ordered five million masks from China.

On Tuesday night, two million arrived.

He has now told radio station RTL: "Americans pay three or four times the amount we pay, and in cash.

"It's complicated.

"We're fighting 24 hours a day."

Grand Est is one of the areas worst affected by the coronavirus outbreak, according to reports.

Mr Rottner said he blamed unfair competition for delays.

'WE'RE FIGHTING 24/7'

"We're working around the clock to ensure these masks arrive," he said.

The United States now has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the world.

Officials are trying to get hold of any masks available, disrupting deliveries to other nations, according to a report by French newspaper Liberation.

France has ordered more than one billion face masks. A quarter of those will come from China.

The country currently has less than three weeks worth of supplies.

The news comes as it is revealed China imported more than two billion masks and 25 million pieces of protective clothing from overseas at the height of its virus crisis.

A report compiled by a Chinese government has today emerged detailing its foreign trade for the first two months of the year.

In January and February, the country was at the peak of its Covid-19 infections.

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And as the illness spread across the world, China rapidly began importing commodities and key consumer goods.

More than 2.46billion masks, protective equipment and other types of PPE kit were inspected by National Customs in China between January 24 and February 29.

The Daily Mail reports that Chinese organisations operating in Australia sent bulk medical supplies to China during the height of the crisis.

COMPANIES SENT SUPPLIES TO CHINA

Chinese-owned property developer Risland Australia reportedly flew tonnes of medical supplies on a corporate jet to Wuhan in February, while Greenland Group re-tasked all employees to purchase face masks, hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and thermometers.

The company eventually bought up three million surgical masks and sent them to China in January and February.

As of today, there are more than 5,108 confirmed coronavirus cases and 23 deaths in Australia, and hospitals are struggling to cope with a shortage of equipment.

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In the UK, the government has faced criticism for its lack of testing and shortage of PPE gear.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has tonight said he will "stop at nothing to get protective gear to NHS frontline staff".

Concerns over the lack of equipment prompted 5,000 doctors to sign a letter saying they feel like "lambs to the slaughter" and "cannon fodder" due to the shortage.

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4 The illness has taken hold in countries across Europe

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