The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday urged the U.S. to stop political manipulation of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

When asked about China's absence from the second global anti-epidemic summit held online on May 12, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the U.S. insisted on inviting Taiwan authorities to participate in the event despite China's solemn position and the consensus of the international community on the one-China principle. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is raging across the world and needs to be tackled jointly by all countries, Zhao said, adding China will continue to work with the international community with concrete actions to play an active role in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic at an early date.