China Pledges $2 Billion For Global COVID Response

May 18, 2020 Coronavirus, Government

Amid an intensifying blame game over the World Health Organization’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, China’s leader Xi Jinping announced a $2 billion funding package to help tackle the outbreak as he spoke at the organization’s 73rd general assembly on Monday.

“China supports the idea of a global review of the response to Covid-19 after it is brought under control. This should be led by the WHO and conducted in an impartial manner,” Xi said, speaking via a video link.

Xi’s statement came as more than 100 health ministers from around the world prepared to call for an independent evaluation of the WHO’s handling of the virus. It was not clear if Xi’s comments indicated that China would support this measure.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said his government would spend $2 billion fighting the coronavirus pandemic around the world, particularly in Africa https://t.co/dI5NrIhSAJ

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 18, 2020

China will make its coronavirus vaccine a global public good once one is available, President Xi told a WHO gathering.

Xi also pledged to provide $2 billion to fight Covid-19, especially in developing countries pic.twitter.com/1YDy9UNTKG

— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) May 18, 2020

President Xi Jinping announced at #WHA that China will
– provide $2 billion of intl aid
– set up global humanitarian response hub
– help Africa enhance disease control capacity
– work with other G20 members on debt service suspension
-make China’s vaccine global public good pic.twitter.com/P4tz54mZDj

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 18, 2020