President Xi announces USD 2 billion fund to fight COVID-19; Fully backs WHO

President Xi Jinping on Monday announced a USD two billion fund to help countries hit by the COVID-19 as he firmly backed the World Health Organisation and its leadership, amid the growing pressure faced by China over the global spread of the deadly virus and the criticism from his US counterpart Donald Trump.

"China will provide USD two billion over two years to help with COVID-19 response and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries, Xi said while addressing the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA), which is being held virtually in Geneva.

The speech by 66-year-old Xi, who is known for announcing big-ticket funding during the international conferences, came as China faced growing global pressure over the lockdowns, death toll and a huge increase in coronavirus cases that has brought the world to a standstill.

Referring to China's own battle with the COVID-19 which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, Xi said, "in China, after making painstaking efforts and enormous sacrifice, we have turned the tide on the virus and protected the life and health of our people."
Without referring to the global calls for an inquiry, Xi said, "China supports the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response to COVID-19 after it is brought under control to sum up the experience and address deficiencies. This work should be based on science and professionalism, led by the WHO and conducted in an objective and impartial manner."