China on Sunday said it welcomes the return of the U.S. to the World Health Organization (WHO) and hopes Washington will take a "serious, earnest, transparent and responsible" attitude to shoulder its responsibility and make due contributions to international cooperation on tackling COVID-19.

A recent statement by the U.S. said it is "re-engaging" with the WHO to "hold it to the highest standards" and that all countries participating should follow a "transparent and robust process for preventing and responding to health emergencies."

"China welcomes the return of the U.S. to the World Health Organization," noted a statement from the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., while pointing out that "the international organization is an authoritative multilateral international organization in the field of health, not a funfair where one can come and go at will."

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The statement further noted that the recent actions from the U.S. have severely undermined multilateral institutions and gravely damaged international cooperation on tackling COVID-19.

It urged "the U.S. to hold itself to the highest standards with a serious, earnest, transparent and responsible attitude," instead of pointing fingers at others.

Such a track record by Washington, according to the statement, will not gain confidence from others who have been faithfully supporting the WHO and at the WHO itself, said the statement.

It called on the U.S. to support the WHO's work with real actions and make due contribution to the global fight against COVID-19.

The U.S. formally notified the WHO last July that it would withdraw from the organization. The exit won't take effect until July this year.