China to donate $500 million to WHO, stepping into gap left by U.S.

China has pledged to give $500 million to the World Health Organization as the country is set to replace the United States as the group's top state donor, expanding Beijing's global influence in the wake of Washington's retreat from international cooperation.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong told the World Health Assembly that his country is making the contribution to oppose "unilateralism," a trait Beijing often ascribes to Washington as relations between the two powers deteriorate.

President Donald Trump in January ordered the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, a move that would leave Beijing as the top donor and most powerful member country.

"The world is now facing the impacts of unilateralism and power politics, bringing major challenges to global health security," Liu said Tuesday in Geneva. "China strongly believes that only with solidarity and mutual assistance can we create a healthy world together."