BEIJING — Production of medical and daily necessities such as masks and protective suits is steadily recovering in China to support the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Feb 11.

More than 76 percent of mask production capacity in China's 22 provincial regions had been resumed by Feb 10, Cong Liang, secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, told a press conference.

Meanwhile, 77 percent of protective suit production had been resumed, according to Cong.

China is the world's largest mask producer, with over 20 million masks made daily in normal times.

Enterprises providing essential material support and services for the epidemic control efforts such as medical supplies, energy, logistics and transportation have resumed production as the nation, except hard-hit Hubei province, gradually returns to work this week.

About 94.6 percent of the country's major grain production and processing firms have resumed production, as have 57.8 percent of the coal mines, said Cong, adding that the supply of natural gas, electricity and refined oil is sufficient.

Cong also noted that issues like insufficient labor and protective materials, local production restrictions and financial stress are still hampering production resumption, and pledged to work with other government departments on these problems and push for normal production.