In response to the US claim to put a hold on money spent to the WHO, MFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during Wednesday's press conference that China will continue to firmly support WHO in carrying out its work and playing a leading role in global cooperation against the virus.

Zhao said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Organization, under the leadership of Director-General Dr. Tedros, has earnestly performed its duties, acting in an objective, science-based and impartial manner, and playing an important role in helping countries respond to the outbreak and advancing international cooperation, thus wining the wide recognition and high acclaim from the international community. The Statement of the recent Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit on COVID-19 underscored full support and commitment to further strengthen WHO's mandate in coordinating the international fight against the pandemic. China will, as always, support WHO's work and its leading role in global cooperation against COVID-19.