Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Rome on Saturday, saying that solidarity is the most powerful weapon in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Wang emphasized that China is willing to deepen cooperation with the WHO on equitable vaccine distribution, COVID-19 drug research and development, and support for African countries in their fight against the pandemic.

Noting China has achieved major strategic success in its response to COVID-19, Wang said apart from addressing its own affairs, China champions the vision of building a global community of health for all. 

Overcoming its own difficulties at a time when the world is most in need, China has carried out the largest emergency humanitarian operation since the founding of New China to meet other countries' urgent needs, the Chinese foreign minister added. 

Wang said the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is a major test of multilateralism and voiced the hope that the WHO will adhere to its scientific attitude and prioritize people's life safety and health.

He called on the WHO to adhere to solidarity and cooperation, and oppose any attempt to use the pandemic for the purpose of politicization, labeling or stigmatization. 

Virus origins tracing should uphold an objective, scientific and responsible attitude, be wary of all kinds of political speculation, treat all member countries equally and effectively respect the sovereignty of each country, Wang stressed, adding China is willing to discuss future cooperation with the WHO on this basis. 

Calling the pandemic a common enemy of the world, Tedros said that WHO appreciates China's spirit of solidarity in providing help and support to other countries in the fight against COVID-19, as well as its support for and participation in COVAX and positive contribution to the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines 

The WHO has always stood on principle and will not yield to external political pressure, Tedros noted and voiced his firm opposition to blame-shifting and politicization of the pandemic during the fight against COVID-19.

He also said that the WHO will continue to conduct scientific research on virus origins tracing.