WHO 'very much' sided with China on coronavirus: Trump

US President Donald Trump has said that World Health Organization has "very much" sided with China on coronavirus crisis, asserting that many people are unhappy with global health ncy and feel that "it's been very unfair". President Trump was responding to a question on allegations by Republican Senator Marco Rubio that World Health Organization (WHO) showed "favouritism" to China.

Congressman Michael McCaul, ranking member on House Foreign Relations Committee, has questioned integrity of WHO's director Tedros ham Ghebreyesus, saying "that re were several red flags in his past with respect to his relationship with China."

"It (WHO) has been very very much sided with China. A lot of people are t happy about it," Trump told reporters at a White House news conference on Wednesday.

Trump was asked if he agreed that WHO showed favouritism and US should re-explore its relationship with health ncy once dust settles.

"I think re is certainly a lot of talk that it's been very unfair. I think that a lot of people feel that it's been very unfair," Trump replied.

In a tweet Congressman Greg Steube alleged that WHO has been a mouthpiece for China during coronavirus pandemic.

Both WHO and China must face consequences once this pandemic is under control, he demanded.

Senator Josh Hawley echoed Steube's view and demanded same.

"re need to be consequences here. WHO has sided with China Communist Party against world in this pandemic," he said in ar tweet.

WHO director Ghebreyesus has faced criticism for praising China's leership for its "determination to end new coronavirus outbreak".

He has also been accused of conspiring with Beijing in its "propaganda" to hush-up coronavirus cases.

Ghebreyesus h gone to China in January to meet President Xi Jinping, and a WHO team comprising of international health experts working in country.

"Today I met with Xi Jinping, President of China, in Beijing to discuss next steps in battle against new coronavirus outbreak. WHO appreciates seriousness with which China is taking this outbreak & transparency authorities have demonstrated," he h said in a tweet after his meeting with Xi.

"Just back from China where I held frank talks with President Xi Jinping, who has taken charge of a monumental national response to coronavirus outbreak. Based on cooperation & solidarity, China has committed to protecting its citizens & all people globally from outbreak," he said in ar tweet.

Globally, death toll from coronavirus has risen to 21,293 with more than 471,518 cases reported in over 170 countries and territories, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

(Picture Credit: AP)