Chinese president pledges support for WHO

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Director-General of the World Health Organization Margaret Chan (L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, July 25 -- President Xi Jinping met with World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Margaret Chan on Monday, pledging further support for the United Nations' public health arm.

Xi said the WHO played an increasingly important role in managing epidemics and coordinating global public health affairs.

"China attaches great importance to the role of the WHO," Xi said, noting practical cooperation between the two sides on many fronts such as epidemic prevention.

"We will actively support the WHO's push to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on global, regional and national levels, and we are ready to carry out medical and public health cooperation with the WHO within the Belt and Road framework," said the president.

Xi also briefed the director-general on China's commitment to providing better public health services.

Hailing China's contribution in international affairs, especially to global public health cooperation, Chan said China had played a leading role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the WHO will continue to improve cooperation with China.

She said the Belt and Road initiative has provided a new model of global cooperation and governance.

During the meeting, Chan also reaffirmed that the WHO will firmly adhere to the one-China policy.