Tasnim
09 Jul 2020, 03:01 GMT+10
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - China on Wednesday defended the World Health Organization and lashed out at the US decision to withdraw from the UN body.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the move was "another demonstration of the US pursuing unilateralism, withdrawing from groups and breaking contracts."
WHO is "the most authoritative and professional international institution in the field of global public health security," Zhao said at a daily briefing, AP reported.
The US departure from the organization "undermines the international anti-epidemic efforts, and in particular has a serious negative impact on developing countries in urgent need of international support," Zhao said.
The Trump administration formally notified the UN on Monday of its withdrawal from WHO, although the pullout won't take effect until next year. That means it could be reversed by a new administration or if circumstances change.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said he would reverse the decision on his first day in office if elected.
US President Donald Trump has harshly criticized WHO over its response to the coronavirus pandemic and accused it of bowing to Chinese influence. Trump said in a White House announcement that Chinese officials "ignored" their reporting obligations to WHO and pressured the organization to mislead the public about an outbreak that has now killed more than 130,000 Americans.
The move was immediately assailed by health officials and critics of the administration, including numerous Democrats who said it would cost the US influence in the global arena while undermining an important institution that is leading vaccine development efforts and drug trials to address the coronavirus.
The withdrawal notice was sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday and will take effect in a year, on July 6, 2021.
The US is WHO's largest donor and provides it with more than $450 million per year, but owes about $200 million in current and past dues. Those financial obligations must be met before a US withdrawal can be finalized.
Get a daily dose of Entertainment Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Entertainment Sun.
More InformationKABUL, Afghanistan - Major violence has spread, and escalated across Afghanistan.Scores of national security forces and Taliban militants have been ...
JERUSALEM - Israeli authorities should provide Covid-19 vaccines to the more than 4.5 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank ...
WASHINGTON, DC - Washington is locked down and U.S. law enforcement officials are geared up for pro-Trump marches in all ...
WASHINGTON, DC - In a sign of the changing political environment in the Middle East, the United States military will ...
WASHINGTON, DC - Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump's administration carried out its last federal execution when Dustin John Higgs, convicted ...
A Chinese government survey ship was intercepted "running dark" without broadcasting its position via AIS (Automated Identification System) by Indonesian ...
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Putting end to all speculations around the release of his much-awaited film 'Radhe,' megastar ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI/NewsVoir): SkinGenious helps in selecting the right skin specialist for treatments and cosmetology, which involves ...
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Several Bollywood celebrities including mega stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday ...
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): National Award-winning filmmaker John Matthew Matthan revealed during a virtual 'In-Conversation' session that the ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI): Channelling her Tuesday thoughts to fans Bollywood diva Malaika Arora treated her fans to ...
Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed after their convoy was ambushed by members of the UPC and anti-Balaka armed groups ...