U.S. coronavirus cases topped 500,000 on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, although there are signs that Americans staying home was helping to curb new infections. Nearly 2,108 people lost their lives in US due to COVID-19 in last 24 hours.

Coronavirus Outbreak: US records rise of more than 130,000 cases in 5 days

New York accounts for one third of all coronavirus fatalities in the United States. What has made New York a virus hotspot in the United States? Watch our report to know more.

What made New York vulnerable to COVID-19

Coronavirus Outbreak: US records its highest daily death toll

In Spain and France the fatality rate is 10%, In Italy and UK it is about 12% while in Germany it is just 2%. How has Germany achieved this? Watch this video to know.

Coronavirus Pandemic: The reason behind Germany's low fatality rate

From New York to Paris to England to New Delhi, life has come to a standstill with some three billion people confined to their homes as&nbsp;governments and agencies&nbsp;fight&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-york-city-from-a-global-cultural-capital-to-a-ghost-town-290305">coronavirus outbreak</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/as-coronavirus-becomes-a-global-threat-who-china-ties-need-greater-international-scrutiny-291137">COVID 19 </a>infected more than 1.44 million people and killed over 83,000 worldwide.

The exact source of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/four-priorities-for-a-global-strategy-to-contain-coronavirus-pandemic-290518">novel coronavirus</a> remains under investigation, though it is thought to be linked to Wuhan wet market. Another theory&nbsp;says the virus was developed in a Chinese&nbsp;virology lab.

Here are the key developments since the novel coronavirus was announced:&nbsp;Coronavirus Timeline

December 30, 2019

The Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention in central China's Hubei province detected cases of "pneumonia of unknown cause". &nbsp;

December 31, 2019

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission confirmed 27 cases, telling the public not to go to enclosed public&nbsp; 
 
January 8, 2020

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said a new coronavirus could be behind a pneumonia epidemic documented in December in the Chinese city of Wuhan.&nbsp;

January 11, 2020

China announced&nbsp;its first death in Wuhan

January 24, 2020

The first cases in Europe are recorded, in France.&nbsp;

January 25, 2020

Hubei province followed Wuhan in being placed in quarantine

January 28, 2020

Germany and Japan announced the first two confirmed instances of human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 outside China. Nations rushed to evacuate their citizens from China.

January 30, 2020

The WHO declared a "public health emergency of international concern".

February 2, 2020

The Philippines reported the first death outside China, a man from Wuhan.

February 7, 2020

The WHO warned that the world is running out of masks and other protective equipment.

February 19, 2020

As the toll topped 2,000, the WHO called for "proportionate" actions to COVID-19's international spread.

February 25, 2020

The WHO said&nbsp;there is a risk of a pandemic. The next day the number of new cases in the rest of the world surpasses that of China.

March 6-8, 2020

More than 100,000 cases were recorded around the world. Northern Italy was locked down, quickly followed by the rest of the country.

March 11, 2020

The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. US borders were gradually closed to around 30 countries. Governments and central banks rolled out massive economic support measures.

March 13, 2020

The WHO declared Europe as the pandemic's new epicentre.

By March 18, 2020

More than 2,00,000 cases were registered across the world.

March 19, 2020

Italy became the country with the highest death toll.&nbsp;

March 23, 2020

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned against a worse recession than the one that followed the 2008 world financial crisis.

Several<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sporting-events-that-fell-victim-to-coronavirus-280070#la-liga-285951"> sporting events </a>were either cancelled or postponed due to the spread of the novel virus.&nbsp;

March 24, 2020

Indian Prime Minister announced a 21 days nationwide lockdown.

March 26, 2020

The leaders of the Group of 20 nations came together for an ‘extraordinary virtual G20 Summit’ to discuss the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the global economy.

March 28, 2020

As China's Wuhan started emerging from lockdown, Italy passed the 10,000 death mark.

April 7, 2020

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neighbourhood-first-indias-policy-on-hydroxychloroquine-as-trump-demands-drug-for-us-291189">Indian government</a> decided to licence and paracetamol, in appropriate quantities, to the&nbsp;neighbouring countries. These drugs are seen as key in the treatment of coronavirus.

(With inputs from AFP and PTI)

From New York to Paris to England to New Delhi, life has come to a standstill with some three billion people confined to their homes as governments and agencies fight the coronavirus outbreak.

From New York to Paris to England to New Delhi, life has come to a standstill with some three billion people confined to their homes as governments and agencies fight the coronavirus outbreak. COVID 19 infected more than 1.44 million people and killed over 83,000 worldwide. The exact source of the novel coronavirus remains under investigation, though it is thought to be linked to Wuhan wet market. Another theory says the virus was developed in a Chinese virology lab. Here are the key developments since the novel coronavirus was announced: Coronavirus Timeline December 30, 2019 The Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention in central China's Hubei province detected cases of "pneumonia of unknown cause". December 31, 2019 The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission confirmed 27 cases, telling the public not to go to enclosed public January 8, 2020 The World Health Organisation (WHO) said a new coronavirus could be behind a pneumonia epidemic documented in December in the Chinese city of Wuhan. January 11, 2020 China announced its first death in Wuhan January 24, 2020 The first cases in Europe are recorded, in France. January 25, 2020 Hubei province followed Wuhan in being placed in quarantine January 28, 2020 Germany and Japan announced the first two confirmed instances of human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 outside China. Nations rushed to evacuate their citizens from China. January 30, 2020 The WHO declared a "public health emergency of international concern". February 2, 2020 The Philippines reported the first death outside China, a man from Wuhan. February 7, 2020 The WHO warned that the world is running out of masks and other protective equipment. February 19, 2020 As the toll topped 2,000, the WHO called for "proportionate" actions to COVID-19's international spread. February 25, 2020 The WHO said there is a risk of a pandemic. The next day the number of new cases in the rest of the world surpasses that of China. March 6-8, 2020 More than 100,000 cases were recorded around the world. Northern Italy was locked down, quickly followed by the rest of the country. March 11, 2020 The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. US borders were gradually closed to around 30 countries. Governments and central banks rolled out massive economic support measures. March 13, 2020 The WHO declared Europe as the pandemic's new epicentre. By March 18, 2020 More than 2,00,000 cases were registered across the world. March 19, 2020 Italy became the country with the highest death toll. March 23, 2020 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned against a worse recession than the one that followed the 2008 world financial crisis. Several sporting events were either cancelled or postponed due to the spread of the novel virus. March 24, 2020 Indian Prime Minister announced a 21 days nationwide lockdown. March 26, 2020 The leaders of the Group of 20 nations came together for an ‘extraordinary virtual G20 Summit’ to discuss the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the global economy. March 28, 2020 As China's Wuhan started emerging from lockdown, Italy passed the 10,000 death mark. April 7, 2020 The Indian government decided to licence and paracetamol, in appropriate quantities, to the neighbouring countries. These drugs are seen as key in the treatment of coronavirus. (With inputs from AFP and PTI)

Coronavirus timeline: From COVID-19's origin to spread

Coronavirus was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan's Hubei province in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-new-york-reports-new-one-day-record-death-toll-as-governor-cuomo-says-hospitalizations-have-fallen-291631">China</a>. The deadly virus since then has infected more than 1.5 million people and led to over 90,000&nbsp;deaths around the world, according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-replaced-by-racism-xenophobia-and-hate-against-foreigners-in-china-291632">Also Read:&nbsp;Coronavirus replaced by racism, xenophobia and hate against foreigners in China</a>

Researchers with the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention re-analyzed 640 throat swabs collected from patients in Wuhan with influenza-like-illness from October 6, 2019 to January 21, 2020 and found that nine of the 640 throat swabs were COVID-19 positive.

Interestingly, these samples came from six different districts of Wuhan, suggesting that community transmission of coronavirus in Wuhan started in early January this year.

Researchers to better understand the epidemic in Wuhan retrospectively investigated the presence of COVID-19 among local patients with milder illness or influenza-like illness.

They analyzed 640 samples of throat swabs collected from old and young patients with milder influenza-like illness which were defined as outpatients with a sudden onset of a fever of above 38 °C and a cough or sore throat.&nbsp;

Two representative referral hospitals from Wuhan were selected as sentinel hospitals to reflect the trends in influenza-like-illness in the local population - the children’s hospital of Wuhan which is the largest pediatric center in the province and Wuhan's No-1 hospital, a major general hospital with over two million outpatient visits per year.

Nine adult samples tested positive for the coronavirus, the previously unknown coronavirus. One of 40 samples taken from two Wuhan hospitals tested positive on January 4, one week after the outbreak was reported by hospitals.

It proves that there were signs of coronavirus outbreak in the wider community in early January - well before the world and the public was even told that the pathogen was “contagious”.&nbsp;

There are many theories around the origin of the virus, from being leaked of the Wuhan virus Lab to many of them linking it to the wet market in Wuhan.&nbsp;

The reason for the origin of the virus remains unknown, though. Local health authorities initially thought the patients had fallen ill through exposure to common infection source in the market and ruled out the pathogen as contagious until January 20.&nbsp;

“Although the weekly sample size was small, it seems that COVID-19 was gradually expanding among the influenza-like illness cases during January,” the researchers, led by Liu Manqing, wrote in a paper published in Nature Microbiology on Tuesday.

China recently ended the 76-day long lockdown of Wuhan which is the largest city in central China, with a resident population of over fourteen million.&nbsp;

It was an unprecedented lockdown imposed by the Chinese government to curb the spread of the virus from the January 23rd onwards.&nbsp;

Even as Wuhan unlocks its borders after 76 days, some restrictions will remain in place.&nbsp;

But the larger question is, did China hide the specifics of the virus spread from the world? The report suggests clear signs of community transmission in early January, then why didn’t China declare that the disease was contagious?

Should China be held accountable for withholding such crucial information, it is the answer that the world is looking for.

Coronavirus was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan's Hubei province in China. The deadly virus since then has infected more than 1.5 million people and led to over 90,000 deaths around the world, according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre.

Coronavirus was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan's Hubei province in China. The deadly virus since then has infected more than 1.5 million people and led to over 90,000 deaths around the world, according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre. Also Read: Coronavirus replaced by racism, xenophobia and hate against foreigners in China Researchers with the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention re-analyzed 640 throat swabs collected from patients in Wuhan with influenza-like-illness from October 6, 2019 to January 21, 2020 and found that nine of the 640 throat swabs were COVID-19 positive. Interestingly, these samples came from six different districts of Wuhan, suggesting that community transmission of coronavirus in Wuhan started in early January this year. Researchers to better understand the epidemic in Wuhan retrospectively investigated the presence of COVID-19 among local patients with milder illness or influenza-like illness. They analyzed 640 samples of throat swabs collected from old and young patients with milder influenza-like illness which were defined as outpatients with a sudden onset of a fever of above 38 °C and a cough or sore throat. Two representative referral hospitals from Wuhan were selected as sentinel hospitals to reflect the trends in influenza-like-illness in the local population - the children’s hospital of Wuhan which is the largest pediatric center in the province and Wuhan's No-1 hospital, a major general hospital with over two million outpatient visits per year. Nine adult samples tested positive for the coronavirus, the previously unknown coronavirus. One of 40 samples taken from two Wuhan hospitals tested positive on January 4, one week after the outbreak was reported by hospitals. It proves that there were signs of coronavirus outbreak in the wider community in early January - well before the world and the public was even told that the pathogen was “contagious”. There are many theories around the origin of the virus, from being leaked of the Wuhan virus Lab to many of them linking it to the wet market in Wuhan. The reason for the origin of the virus remains unknown, though. Local health authorities initially thought the patients had fallen ill through exposure to common infection source in the market and ruled out the pathogen as contagious until January 20. “Although the weekly sample size was small, it seems that COVID-19 was gradually expanding among the influenza-like illness cases during January,” the researchers, led by Liu Manqing, wrote in a paper published in Nature Microbiology on Tuesday. China recently ended the 76-day long lockdown of Wuhan which is the largest city in central China, with a resident population of over fourteen million. It was an unprecedented lockdown imposed by the Chinese government to curb the spread of the virus from the January 23rd onwards. Even as Wuhan unlocks its borders after 76 days, some restrictions will remain in place. But the larger question is, did China hide the specifics of the virus spread from the world? The report suggests clear signs of community transmission in early January, then why didn’t China declare that the disease was contagious? Should China be held accountable for withholding such crucial information, it is the answer that the world is looking for.

Report suggests coronavirus spread in Wuhan started earlier than China reported

China has lifted the lockdown in Wuhan after 76 days. More than 55,000 thousand people left the city within hours of the restrictions being lifted. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: More than 55,000 people flee, after China lifts Wuhan lockdown

More than 50 patients who recovered from COVID-19 in South Korea have now tested positive again, this is due to the concept called reactivation of the virus.

COVID-19 patients in South Korea test positive after recovery

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in Guayaquil, the capital of Ecuador's Guayas province, has collapsed the region's health system. To deal with the increased number of deaths, temporary morgues were installed outside a hospital in Guayaquil, as the government distributes cardboard coffins.

Ecuador faces shortage of coffins, locals resort to cardboard boxes

Nearly 2,000 people infected with the new coronavirus have died in the United States in the last 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Tuesday (0030 GMT Wednesday). WION spoke to Dr. Anil Kaul about the nature of COVID-19 and its complex diagnosis.

WION speaks to Dr. Anil Kaul about nature of COVID-19 and its diagnosis

Data emerging from some states suggest that African Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic in the US. Experts say blacks are disproportionately impacted by underlying health conditions linked to poverty, face discrimination in medical care, and are more likely to work jobs that require them to leave their home.

Coronavirus Pandemic: African-Americans worst hit in United States

Wuhan, the Chinese city hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak, started lifting outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. A midnight lightshow brightens up Wuhan's sky as the central Chinese city enters the first day post-lockdown.

Midnight light show marks end of coronavirus lockdown in Wuhan

Nearly 2,000 people infected with the new coronavirus have died in the United States in the last 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Tuesday (0030 GMT Wednesday).

Coronavirus Pandemic: US records highest daily COVID-19 death toll

The US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday (April 7) to cut US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing it of bias toward China, where the authorities lifted a two-and-a-half month travel ban on Wuhan, the city that spawned the global coronavirus pandemic.

Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatens to halt funding

In this segment of WION, let's take a look on how equip is healthcare systems in world's most affected COVID-19 nations.

How equip is healthcare systems in world's most affected COVID-19 nations

South Korea: 51 COVID-19 survivors test positive of COVID-19 again

With new 354 new Covid-19 infections reported in past 24 hours, the total number of coronavirus cases in India today jumped to 4,421, showed the latest data released from Health Ministry.

Total infected cases leap to 4,421 in India | Coronavirus News | COVID-19

President Donald Trump has warned India that the US may retaliate if it did not export anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine despite his personal request, saying he would be surprised in case of a negative outcome as New Delhi has good relations with Washington.

Donald Trump alludes to retaliation over HCQ export ban

Germany has drafted a plan to scale back its coronavirus lockdown and allow a gradual return to public life

Germany to relax lockdown after April 19

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump are among those who have sent their best wishes to the UK prime minister. Johnson is currently in intensive care in London suffering from coronavirus.

World leaders wish UK PM a speedy recovery

As the official U.S. death toll surpassed 10,000 — standing at 10,530, including 4,758 in New York.

US Coronavirus death toll surpases 10,000 mark

US President Donald Trump had also spoken out in favour of using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, terming it a “game changer” in the fight against the pandemic.

30 countries raise demand for HCQ from India

The decision to approve the ordinance to amend the salary, allowances and pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, was taken at the Union cabinet meeting chaired by PM Modi Monday.

Centre approves ordinance to cut salary of MP'S, PM & President by 30%

With Boris Johnson in intensive care, Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, has been asked to step up “where necessary” and run the country during the biggest public health crisis in a generation.

UK Foreign Secretary to deputise for Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was diagnosed with coronavirus on March 26, is in intensive care in a London hospital after his condition worsened on Monday evening.

Coronavirus crisis worsens in UK

The prime minister, 55, was admitted to hospital in London with "persistent symptoms" on Sunday evening.

Boris Johnson moved to intensive care as symptoms worsen

China on Tuesday reported no new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-reports-over-100-deaths-in-one-day-amid-soft-approach-to-combat-coronavirus-291168">coronavirus</a> deaths for the first time since January when it began giving out reports on the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-coronavirus-death-toll-nearing-4000-291155">Also Read: Iran says coronavirus death toll nearing 4,000</a>

The number of virus cases has been falling in the past few weeks&nbsp;in China, also in Hubei province which was the epicenter of the virus around February after the first case was reported in Wuhan on December 31.&nbsp;

The country now fears a second wave of the virus from abroad. Amid recent cases of travellers coming from abroad, the Chinese government announced all nationals returning from the US, Italy and Iran will now have to provide daily updates on their health to a WeChat app for up to two weeks before their flights or be denied boarding.

Chinese authorities reported 32 new cases all of which were from abroad raising fears of a second wave of the deadly virus. There were also 30 new asymptomatic infections, health officials said.

Chinese health officials say nearly 1,000 imported cases of the virus have been reported so far.

According to China's health ministry, 3,331 people&nbsp;have been killed due to COVID-19 in the country with 81,740 people infected even as the global death toll due to the virus crossed 70,000.

China on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since January when it began giving out reports on the virus. Also Read: Iran says coronavirus death toll nearing 4,000 The number of virus cases has been falling in the past few weeks in China, also in Hubei province which was the epicenter of the virus around February after the first case was reported in Wuhan on December 31.

China on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since January when it began giving out reports on the virus. Also Read: Iran says coronavirus death toll nearing 4,000 The number of virus cases has been falling in the past few weeks in China, also in Hubei province which was the epicenter of the virus around February after the first case was reported in Wuhan on December 31. The country now fears a second wave of the virus from abroad. Amid recent cases of travellers coming from abroad, the Chinese government announced all nationals returning from the US, Italy and Iran will now have to provide daily updates on their health to a WeChat app for up to two weeks before their flights or be denied boarding. Chinese authorities reported 32 new cases all of which were from abroad raising fears of a second wave of the deadly virus. There were also 30 new asymptomatic infections, health officials said. Chinese health officials say nearly 1,000 imported cases of the virus have been reported so far. According to China's health ministry, 3,331 people have been killed due to COVID-19 in the country with 81,740 people infected even as the global death toll due to the virus crossed 70,000.

China reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time

Both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and China have been in the limelight since the onset of COVID-19. The growing camaraderie between both suggests towards China's "charm-offensive" approach of expediting its objectives in the global health body. This holds great significance in the pretext of China's mounting financial clout in the WHO, especially as the latter effusively praises China for its efforts to contain the virus. Moreover, it is also on the issue of Taiwan, that Beijing's political authority in the WHO is most apparent.&nbsp;

However, as COVID-19 becomes a pandemic and a threat to global economic growth, China witnesses its foreign policy and governance model being tested at the inception of criticisms. This entails to its not-so-immediate response to the virus outbreak; relations with the WHO; and Taiwan's membership blockade in the global health body. &nbsp;

In this context, several debates have been arising, which situate around China's accountability as a major global power and WHO's capability towards global health governance. Deliberations have been persisting over China's growing political weight in this global health body in the backdrop of the increasing hostility between China and Taiwan, and the WHO's acknowledgement of 'One China' Policy. Such has corroborated to the exclusion of Taiwan from the WHO, and the former's limited access to timely information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these debates need to be viewed in light of how China plans to achieve its goal of national unification with Taiwan to sustain its political leadership; how Beijing plans to reshape the global order; and how it sustains its global governance model post-COVID-19. &nbsp;

China's approach to global governance under Xi Jinping has strived to realise its economic, strategic and political goals, enabling the country to achieve greater geopolitical gravity. However, it has also strengthened the wall around China to control the flow of information, ideas and capital. These characteristics have brought Beijing's foreign policy into the spotlight; particularly with the suppression of Dr. Li Wenliang's early warnings. A considerable amount of flak has also been drawn by the WHO from the international community, especially as its Director General (DG), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised China for "setting a new standard for outbreak control". However, such has been contrary to Beijing's containment of the virus which has increasingly been criticised by the global community for lacking transparency, legitimacy and liberty. &nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/coronavirus-spread-china-must-allow-global-probe-to-ascertain-origin-of-covid-19-291113">Also Read: China must allow global probe to ascertain origin of COVID-19</a> 
 
In retrospect, one wonders what has prompted WHO to appreciate China so much when Beijing failed to curb the pandemic to spill outside China, and when the regime under Xi Jinping remained unsuccessful in realising the global consequences arriving from this virus. It becomes evident that the influence arriving from China's 'charm offensive' tactics over the WHO's decision-making process is the reason why the global health body's conduct towards China has been soft. WHO's departure on its perception of China is also visible if one compares how it criticised China during the SARS epidemic in 2002-03. Clearly, the WHO-China connection needs greater international scrutiny. &nbsp;

In fact, China, with its power clout as a UN Security Council P-5 member, has been blocking Taiwan's WHO membership, except for a brief period from 2009-16, when the latter participated in the global health body as a non-voting observer. This comes at the backdrop of Taiwan alerting the WHO in late December about the virus' inter-human transmission potential while accusing the organization of its failure to communicate the early warnings. Taiwan's exclusion from WHO, due to China's claim on it being a part of its territory, indicated Beijing's mounting strategic clout in the multilateral arena. However, Taiwan's blockade also resulted in a relatively slowed global response towards the pandemic, which has now spurred as a health and economic crisis. If anything, the above arguments reiterate China's increasing levels of participation and engagement in multilateral institutions such as WHO, as a means of achieving its national objectives. &nbsp;

One also should not overlook the rising Chinese financial clout over the WHO. Under Xi Jinping, an increase has been noticed in the Chinese contribution to WHO, which has risen by 52 per cent since 2014 to approximately $ 86 million, pointing to the obvious. Even though China's contribution to WHO dwarfs in comparison to the US', having provided $893 million to the organisation in 2018-19, the former's rising influence on WHO cannot be discounted. In fact, China's partnership with WHO through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since 2017 to strengthen health security, remains an example of its aim to redistribute power in the existing multilateral institutions and acts as a catalyst for its desire to reshape the global order. Moreover, China's economic and strategic clout has proven beneficial for it emerge as a major player in the global health stage through global policy initiatives and investments in Asia and Africa. However, the COVID-19 episode has severely challenged China's leadership role in the international community, particularly in terms of global health; as Beijing struggles to sustain its responsibility and accountability. &nbsp;

Thus, in light of the diminishing faith in China's global governance model and the increasing criticisms towards China's handling of the COVID-19, challenges to China's leadership under Xi seem inevitable. Further, while the majority of the global community acknowledges China's claims over Taiwan, the exclusion of the latter from WHO amidst the widespread criticisms buttresses the argument mentioned above. China's national position in the international affairs, hence, seems to be witnessing a conundrum- of realising its national goals and interests amidst prevalent criticisms towards its governance; and of sustaining and strengthening its economy amidst an impending global economic crisis.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and China have been in the limelight since the onset of COVID-19. The growing camaraderie between both suggests towards China's "charm-offensive" approach of expediting its objectives in the global health body.

Both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and China have been in the limelight since the onset of COVID-19. The growing camaraderie between both suggests towards China's "charm-offensive" approach of expediting its objectives in the global health body. This holds great significance in the pretext of China's mounting financial clout in the WHO, especially as the latter effusively praises China for its efforts to contain the virus. Moreover, it is also on the issue of Taiwan, that Beijing's political authority in the WHO is most apparent. However, as COVID-19 becomes a pandemic and a threat to global economic growth, China witnesses its foreign policy and governance model being tested at the inception of criticisms. This entails to its not-so-immediate response to the virus outbreak; relations with the WHO; and Taiwan's membership blockade in the global health body.  In this context, several debates have been arising, which situate around China's accountability as a major global power and WHO's capability towards global health governance. Deliberations have been persisting over China's growing political weight in this global health body in the backdrop of the increasing hostility between China and Taiwan, and the WHO's acknowledgement of 'One China' Policy. Such has corroborated to the exclusion of Taiwan from the WHO, and the former's limited access to timely information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these debates need to be viewed in light of how China plans to achieve its goal of national unification with Taiwan to sustain its political leadership; how Beijing plans to reshape the global order; and how it sustains its global governance model post-COVID-19.  China's approach to global governance under Xi Jinping has strived to realise its economic, strategic and political goals, enabling the country to achieve greater geopolitical gravity. However, it has also strengthened the wall around China to control the flow of information, ideas and capital. These characteristics have brought Beijing's foreign policy into the spotlight; particularly with the suppression of Dr. Li Wenliang's early warnings. A considerable amount of flak has also been drawn by the WHO from the international community, especially as its Director General (DG), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised China for "setting a new standard for outbreak control". However, such has been contrary to Beijing's containment of the virus which has increasingly been criticised by the global community for lacking transparency, legitimacy and liberty.  Also Read: China must allow global probe to ascertain origin of COVID-19 In retrospect, one wonders what has prompted WHO to appreciate China so much when Beijing failed to curb the pandemic to spill outside China, and when the regime under Xi Jinping remained unsuccessful in realising the global consequences arriving from this virus. It becomes evident that the influence arriving from China's 'charm offensive' tactics over the WHO's decision-making process is the reason why the global health body's conduct towards China has been soft. WHO's departure on its perception of China is also visible if one compares how it criticised China during the SARS epidemic in 2002-03. Clearly, the WHO-China connection needs greater international scrutiny.  In fact, China, with its power clout as a UN Security Council P-5 member, has been blocking Taiwan's WHO membership, except for a brief period from 2009-16, when the latter participated in the global health body as a non-voting observer. This comes at the backdrop of Taiwan alerting the WHO in late December about the virus' inter-human transmission potential while accusing the organization of its failure to communicate the early warnings. Taiwan's exclusion from WHO, due to China's claim on it being a part of its territory, indicated Beijing's mounting strategic clout in the multilateral arena. However, Taiwan's blockade also resulted in a relatively slowed global response towards the pandemic, which has now spurred as a health and economic crisis. If anything, the above arguments reiterate China's increasing levels of participation and engagement in multilateral institutions such as WHO, as a means of achieving its national objectives.  One also should not overlook the rising Chinese financial clout over the WHO. Under Xi Jinping, an increase has been noticed in the Chinese contribution to WHO, which has risen by 52 per cent since 2014 to approximately $ 86 million, pointing to the obvious. Even though China's contribution to WHO dwarfs in comparison to the US', having provided $893 million to the organisation in 2018-19, the former's rising influence on WHO cannot be discounted. In fact, China's partnership with WHO through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since 2017 to strengthen health security, remains an example of its aim to redistribute power in the existing multilateral institutions and acts as a catalyst for its desire to reshape the global order. Moreover, China's economic and strategic clout has proven beneficial for it emerge as a major player in the global health stage through global policy initiatives and investments in Asia and Africa. However, the COVID-19 episode has severely challenged China's leadership role in the international community, particularly in terms of global health; as Beijing struggles to sustain its responsibility and accountability.  Thus, in light of the diminishing faith in China's global governance model and the increasing criticisms towards China's handling of the COVID-19, challenges to China's leadership under Xi seem inevitable. Further, while the majority of the global community acknowledges China's claims over Taiwan, the exclusion of the latter from WHO amidst the widespread criticisms buttresses the argument mentioned above. China's national position in the international affairs, hence, seems to be witnessing a conundrum- of realising its national goals and interests amidst prevalent criticisms towards its governance; and of sustaining and strengthening its economy amidst an impending global economic crisis. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

As coronavirus becomes a global threat, WHO-China ties need greater international scrutiny

Andrew Cuomo has extended the state's lockdown period to April 29 and is increasing social distancing fines to $1,000 in an effort to keep people indoors

New York governor Andrew Cuomo extends lockdown till April 29

WION, World Is one News in an exclusive conversation speaks to COVID-19 survivor Sumiti Singh.

WION Exclusively speaks to COVID-19 survivor

Throughout the demonstration, Lixey picks up a paper plate, used to reference toilet paper, and then puts paint on her gloves to show that she had just picked up whatever germs were attached to that item

Michigan nurse's video on COVID-19 goes viral

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