US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy addressed the World Health Assembly (WHA) via video on May 20, focusing on the financial challenges following the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). China has pledged $500 million (approximately NT$15.1 billion) to the WHO over the next five years.

Kennedy called on other nations to follow the US lead in withdrawing from the WHO. He criticized the current organization as bloated and ineffective, asserting that countries should establish new international organizations to address public health issues instead of relying on the WHO. His remarks were played during the assembly, but no immediate response was given.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong emphasized the significant challenges posed to global health by unilateralism and power politics and announced an increase in funding for the WHO. He did not clarify whether the $500 million was additional funding or included in China’s increased WHO contributions. A new budget expected to be approved at the assembly will raise the mandatory contributions from countries by 20% over the next two years. China is set to become the largest donor, as the financial difficulties facing the WHO, exacerbated by the US withdrawal, had led to a 21% budget reduction for 2026-2027.