China's top industry regulator said it will step up efforts to expand the production capacity of protective suits, which are among the most desired medical goods for front-line health workers.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said as the fight against the novel coronavirus continues, the demand for protective suits is soaring and companies are under huge pressure to provide supplies.

Cao Xuejun, deputy director of the consumer products industry department of the MIIT, said more efforts will be made to encourage companies to resume or expand production.

The ministry will motivate some companies to revamp their plants to produce protective suits, and ensure the supply of key raw materials needed to make medical equipment.