Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

Being asked that the US Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy Jr. issued a joint statement on January 23 announcing the US formal withdrawal from the World Health Organization, effective immediately and the US Department of Health and Human Services also claimed that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, China had concealed information and refused to provide the WHO with the genetic sequences of early cases, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has adhered to the principles of putting people and life first, working hand in hand with other nations to overcome the challenge. 

China has made significant contributions to global cooperation against the pandemic. The timeline and context of China's anti-pandemic efforts are crystal clear, with facts and data that are readily evident and have gained wide recognition from the international community. Such facts cannot be willfully distorted or smeared. China firmly opposes the politicization of the pandemic and the use of it for political manipulation. The act of shifting blame onto China is not only unpopular but also destined to fail, Guo said.

Guo added that the WHO is the world's leading specialized international agency in the field of global public health. We have noted the WHO's regret over the US withdrawal. Multilateralism is the cornerstone of today's international order, a prevailing trend that reflects the shared will of the international community.

China has consistently supported the WHO in fulfilling its mandate, deepening international public health cooperation, strengthening global health governance, and working toward building a global community of health for all, the spokesperson said. 

Global Times