China says US decision to halt WHO funding undermines global anti-pandemic cooperation

BEIJING - A decision by the United States to halt its funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) would undermine international cooperation on fighting COVID-19, and China is gravely concerned about it, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Wednesday.

As the most authoritative and professional international organization in the field of global public health security, the WHO has played an irreplaceable role in dealing with a global public health crisis, Zhao said at a press briefing, when asked to comment on the decision announced Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Particularly, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO led by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has actively fulfilled its duties and played a central role in coordinating and promoting international cooperation," Zhao said, stressing that the WHO's work has been widely recognized and highly appreciated by the international community.

Given the severity and urgency of the global pandemic situation, the U.S. decision to halt funding will weaken the WHO's capacity and undermine international cooperation on the COVID-19 battle, said the spokesman.

"It will affect all countries in the world, including the United States, and those vulnerable ones," Zhao said, calling on the U.S. side to earnestly fulfill its duties and obligations, and support the WHO.

He said China would continue to support the WHO in leading global anti-pandemic actions.