China resolutely rejects the "baseless accusation" against it and opposes "political virus," said China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun on Tuesday following U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of China's handling of COVID-19 at the UN General Assembly. 

In his pre-recorded message, Trump said: "We must hold accountable the nation which unleashed this plague onto the world: China." 

Introducing Chinese President Xi Jinping's pre-recorded message to be played, Zhang said, "China resolutely rejects the baseless accusation against China" and opposes "political virus." 

The world is confronted with the severe challenges of COVID-19. There are also the problems of unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices, said Zhang. "The world is at a crossroads at this moment. The world needs more solidarity and cooperation, but not confrontation. We need to increase mutual confidence and trust, but not the spreading of political virus." 

No matter what others say, China will firmly support multilateralism and backs the United Nations to play its central role in international affairs, said Zhang. 

While Trump tried to shift the blame to China for his poor handling of the pandemic, the United States has hit another milestone in the number of deaths from the virus. According to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, U.S. COVID-19 deaths surpassed 200,000 on Tuesday while the number of infections has reached more than 6.8 million. Both numbers accounted for roughly one-fifth of the global total, but the U.S. population is equivalent to only less 5 percent of the world's population. 

"This didn't have to happen. Tens of thousands of deaths could have been prevented," tweeted Tom Frieden, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

According to a recent survey by Pew Research Center, the United States reputation among its key allies and partners has reached record lows, partly because of the country's poor handling of the pandemic.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also expressed strong opposition to the U.S.'s accusations in a statement released on Wednesday.

"Unilateralism and bullying have once again proved to be the most serious threats facing the world," Wang stressed.

Noting China's efforts against COVID-19, the spokesperson reiterated that China is a victim of the virus and a contributor to the global fight against it. "China's anti-epidemic efforts are open and transparent, with a clear timeline and facts and figures," he said.

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He further pointed out the real purpose of the U.S. is to spread "political virus" and shift responsibility.

As for the issues on climate change and environmental protection, Wang said that China has actively assumed international responsibilities in line with its development stage and national conditions, adding that China has implemented a series of policies and actions, and its achievements are there for all to see.

However, Wang said that the U.S., the world's largest cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases, has refused to take the minimum effort necessary to protect the planet and transferred a large amount of waste to developing countries.

The U.S.'s actions have brought great harm to the local and global environment, Wang noted.