Pedestrians are seen in the Central district of Hong Kong on Aug 6, 2020. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)

BEIJING – The Chinese mainland exported anti-epidemic supplies worth US$470 million to Hong Kong during the first half of the year, up 130 percent year on year, the Ministry of Commerce said Saturday. 

Besides the anti-epidemic supplies including face masks, protective clothing, ventilators, thermometers, goggles and test kits, the mainland exported pharmaceutical products worth US$1.8 billion to Hong Kong during the period, up 14 percent from a year earlier. 

The central government has also been working to ensure adequate supplies of agricultural products to Hong Kong since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Currently, about 85 percent of live food animals, 90 percent of vegetables and 60 percent of aquatic products in the Hong Kong market are supplied by the mainland. 

The ministry will closely track market changes and work to ensure the demand in Hong Kong is met in a bid to support the region's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.