Mining magnate and billionaire philanthropist Andrew Forrest has tapped his contacts in China to secure 10 million coronavirus test kits, delivering a 20-fold increase in Australia’s testing capacity.

Andrew Forrest joined health minister Greg Hunt at a press conference to announce the deal but it was the awkward presence of a Chinese consular official which has led to claims that China hijacked the press conference.

It’s understood that Victoria Consul-General of China Long Zhou was invited to the press conference by Mr Forrest, not by Mr Hunt, and the Chinese official’s presence came as a surprise.

However, Andrew Forrest tells Brooke Corte that Victoria Consul-General of China Long Zhou was authorised to speak at the press conference by the Health Minister.

“I invited the Consul-General to speak, with the full authority of the Minister for Health, and he gave such a strong speech about nations working together,” Mr Forrest said.

The Fortescue chairman says the tests will allow Australia to unlock parts of the Australian economy in lieu of a vaccine for the deadly disease, and the 10 million test kits will enable mass testing across the country.

“Australia now has that capacity… and I think that on a per capita basis, we’re as weaponised against this virus as any country in the world.”

Click PLAY to hear Brooke Corte speak with Andrew Forrest: