Beijing: China on Wednesday expressed “serious concern” over US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend funding for the World Health Organisation and hinted at stepping up its monetary contribution to the UN health agency.
“China expresses serious concern over the US announcement to halt its funding to WHO,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. Zhao put up a staunch defence of WHO and its Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saying that the WHO plays an irreplaceable role in dealing with global public health crisis.
Asked whether China will step-up funding to WHO to replace US contributions, Zhao said, “China has provided USD 20 million to WHO (to fight COVID-19) and we will study the relevant matter”, indicating that Beijing is considering to increase its contribution to the global health body.
