Sweden Foreign Minister welcomes China aid, but with warning amid COVID-19 outbreak

Sweden's foreign minister said it was "positive" that Chinese authorities are assisting other countries with protective equipment and are "trying to show transparency", while cautioning that it would be "naive" to think "that there is no political reason behind" those actions.

Ann Linde said on Friday that ''countries are using the pandemic to move forward with their own political agendas and that happens in China, it's happening in many other countries.''

China was criticized by some western government for the mishandling of the crisis due to politically motivated foot-dragging, while the virus raced through a province and its capital, Wuhan.

Now it is seeking to change perceptions through a "mask diplomacy" - a mix of soft power policy, political messaging and aid shipments - to portray Beijing as a generous and efficient ally.

China has shipped medical supplies in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and while the gesture drew praises, some test kits didn't meet the local medical standards.

Linde added that "all governments, including my own" will have to be held accountable for their response to the pandemic in the aftermath of the crisis.

The Swedish government has imposed relatively liberal policies to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Swedish authorities have advised the public to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants are still open, and only gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned.

Swedish has confirmed more than 12,500 coronavirus cases and more than 1,300 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.

Image Credits: AP