The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, January 21, that the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) should only be strengthened, not weakened, according to Reuters. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference that China would continue to support the WHO in carrying out its responsibilities.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the US’s withdrawal from WHO at the White House on January 20
Meanwhile, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach today announced that Germany will try to persuade President Trump to abandon his decision to withdraw the US from WHO.
Mr. Lauterbach warned: “The new US President’s announcement to withdraw from the World Health Organization is a serious blow to the international fight against global health crises.” He added: “We will try to convince Donald Trump to reconsider this decision.”
In addition to the executive order withdrawing the US from WHO, President Trump on January 20 also signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris climate agreement. “America will not sabotage its industries while China pollutes with impunity,” Mr. Trump said before signing the order.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said today that China is concerned about the US withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Mr. Guo affirmed that China is actively responding to climate change and will jointly promote green and low-carbon transition globally.
The United States is currently the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, and its withdrawal weakens global ambitions to cut those emissions, according to Reuters.
Although Mr. Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres still believes that American cities, states and businesses “will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership.” leadership by striving for sustainable, low-carbon economic growth that creates many quality jobs,” according to UN spokeswoman Florencia Soto Nino.
“It is important that the United States remains a leader in environmental issues. Joint efforts under the Paris Agreement have made a difference, but together we need to go further and faster,” Ms. Nino emphasize.
The US must officially notify UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres of its withdrawal from the climate agreement, and according to the terms of the agreement, the withdrawal will take effect one year later.
