China's Xi pledges $2bn to coronavirus fight

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that his country will provide $2bn over two years to help other countries respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

He announced the pledge via video conferencing at the opening ceremony of a key World Health Organization meeting and said that when the vaccine is available it “will be made a global political good”.

“China will provide 2 billion U.S dollars over two years to help with Covid-19 response, and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries,“ Xi said, via an official English translation.

The 73rd World Health Assembly will be a shortened session lasting between Monday and Tuesday.

The 194 member strong WHO is currently considering opening an investigation into the origins and spread of the virus. If two-thirds of the countries back the resolution, a draft will be put forward on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

China has pushed back against calls for an international investigation into the origins of the virus.

In his opening speech on Monday, Xi emphasized China’s openness, transparency and responsibility all along in providing information to the WHO and other countries, as well as in sharing the genome sequence of the coronavirus.

“We also need to continue supporting global research by scientists on the source and transmission routes of the virus,“ 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 our experience and address deficiencies,” he added.

“This work should be led by science and professionalism, led by the WHO and conducted in an objective and impartial manner.”