China to donate WHO another $30 million as US suspends funding

BEIJING: China has announced to donate an additional $30 million to the World Health Organisation to fight the coronavirus pandemic as the US suspended funding to the health agency.

During a briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stated, “China has decided to donate another $30 million in cash to the WHO, in addition to the previous donation of $20 million, to support the global fight against COVID-19.”

He further said that China’s contribution to the WHO reflects the support and trust of the Chinese government and people for the health organization.

Last week, the US, which is the WHO´s biggest contributor, froze the funds of the organization. The country accused the UN body over mismanaging the COVID-19 crisis, drawing ire from China as both countries fight over the deadly virus.

US President Donald Trump accused the WHO of covering up the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak in China before it spread.

According to Trump, US taxpayers provided between US$400 million and $500 million per year to the WHO. “In contrast, China contributes roughly US$40 million a year and even less,” he asserted.

The virus, which has claimed more than 181,000 lives worldwide, first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, which was locked down in January this year to curb the spread.

It continued its global march, however, with cases reported in 193 countries and territories to date, ravaging economies around the globe.