China vowed on Tuesday to continue participating in two cornerstone multinational arrangements — the World Health Organization and Paris climate accord — after newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump ordered withdrawals from them.
On Monday, his first day back as president after his first term ended in 2021, Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to quit the WHO, which he slammed over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also announced that Washington was withdrawing from the Paris climate accord for a second time, a defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming.
Asked about Trump’s decisions, Beijing said Tuesday that it was “concerned” by the withdrawals and that it remained committed to international cooperation.
“China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity,” said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun during a news conference.
“The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,” he added.
Guo also responded to Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, saying that “Climate change is a common challenge faced by all of humanity”.
“No country can remain unaffected or solve the problem on its own,” he said.
“China will work with all parties… to actively address the challenges of climate change.”