President Tsai Ing-wen says that Taiwan is donating surgical masks abroad because it is the right thing to do, not to earn praise from other countries. Tsai was speaking Friday in front of reporters in southern Taiwan. 

Tsai’s remark comes after a German official was unwilling to mention Taiwan by name during a press conference about masks donated by Taiwan. Despite the controversy this caused in Taiwan, Tsai said she believes that the recipients of the masks are thankful, even if they don’t say so out loud.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry has also pointed out that both the German Institute in Taipei and the German Trade Office Taipei have publicly thanked Taiwan for the donation.