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BFF-27
VIRUS-WHO-FUND-CHINA LEAD
China to give WHO $30 million more after US freezes funds
BEIJING, April 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – China announced Thursday it will donate
another $30 million to the World Health Organization to help in the global
fight against the coronavirus pandemic, days after Washington said it would
freeze funding.
“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 and strengthen developing countries’ health systems,” foreign
ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing.
He added that China’s contribution to the UN agency “reflects the support
and trust of the Chinese government and people for the WHO”.
The US, which is the WHO’s biggest contributor, accused the WHO last week
of “mismanaging” the COVID-19 crisis, drawing ire from Beijing as both
countries spar over the deadly virus.
In announcing the funding freeze last week, US President Donald Trump
accused the WHO of covering up the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak in
China before it spread.
Trump said US taxpayers provided between $400 million and $500 million per
year to the WHO, while “in contrast, China contributes roughly $40 million a
year and even less”.
BSS/AFP/MMA/1551HRS