"To support the World Health Organization (WHO) is to support saving lives. I believe all countries with decency will choose to do so," said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday. 

"What we are seeing is this: those countries that heeded and followed WHO advice are more successful in bringing the coronavirus under control, while those that ignored or rejected its advice are paying a heavy price," Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the Third Session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing. 

"Nothing is more precious than people's lives; nothing is more important than saving lives," he stressed, adding that, in the face of COVID-19, attempts to attack or blackmail the WHO are lacking in basic humanity and will be rejected by the international community. 

"WHO is an international body made up of 194 sovereign states. It does not serve any particular country and it should not defer to any country that provides more funding than others," he pointed out.