China accuses US of scaremongering over coronavirus

Anthony WALLACE / AFP

The Chinese government has accused the US of spreading fear over coronavirus outbreak, instead of offering significant aid.

In a news briefing on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the US has "unceasingly manufactured and spread panic".

She also blamed Washington for lack of help, claiming the US "has yet to provide any substantial assistance to China".

The US was the first nation to begin evacuations, to impose a travel ban on China and barred travellers who had recently visited the country. 

It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there was no need to halt travel to China to halt the spread of coronavirus.

So far, the flu-like virus has killed 361 people in China.

More from International

  • Trump, Xi begin Beijing talks with trade truce, Iran war at stake

    US President Donald Trump received a grand welcome at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Thursday ahead of talks with China's Xi Jinping set to cover their fragile trade truce, the Iran war and US arms sales to Taiwan.

  • Russian drone attack strikes Ukrainian capital

    Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with drones and missiles early on Thursday, officials said, damaging several buildings, including one which partially collapsed with residents likely trapped under rubble.

  • GCC interior ministers hold emergency meeting in Riyadh

    Interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have held an emergency ministerial meeting in Riyadh, chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

  • Gunshots fired in standoff at Philippine Senate over ICC suspect

    Gunshots broke out in chaotic scenes at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday where troops had been deployed after a politician wanted by the International Criminal Court urged supporters to mobilise and thwart his imminent arrest.

  • Trump lands in China for Xi summit

    US President Donald Trump and an entourage that included Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Elon Musk were greeted with a lavish welcome in Beijing on Wednesday as he prepared to ask China's Xi Jinping to "open up" to US business at the start of their two-day summit.