US-China Lock Horns Over Coronavirus At UN General Assembly
Tensions between the US and China came to the fore at the annual UN General Assembly in NY, with US President Donald Trump blaming China for the spread of coronavirus. He involved China to be held "accountable" for the pandemic.
In his speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country had "no intention to enter a chilly War with any country". Ties between the 2 world powers are strained on a variety of fronts.
This year's summit at NY is essentially being held virtually, with world leaders providing pre-recorded speeches. The new format meant a number of the geopolitical theatre normally on offer at the key UN meeting was absent.
Each country was represented by one delegate and there was little opportunity for one nation to rebut another. But as is often the case for speeches to the assembly, President Trump used his address to tout his achievements and lam into a rival.
China 'infected the world' - Trump
"We must hold accountable the state which unleashed this plague on the planet - China," he said.
"In the earliest days of the virus China locked down travel domestically, while allowing flights to go away China and infect the planet . China condemned my travel ban on their country, whilst they cancelled domestic flights and locked citizens in their homes," he added.
