China to help poorest countries contain COVID-19, develop economy: spokesman

China will help the poorest countries focus their efforts on containing the COVID-19 while promoting economic and social development in accordance with the Group of 20 (G20)'s consensus on debt relief, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said Thursday. China will also take part in international anti-pandemic cooperation through other bilateral and multilateral channels, and called on multilateral creditors and commercial creditors to participate in the G20 initiative to help the countries tide over difficulties, Zhao said.

G20 finance ministers and central bankers agreed on Wednesday to suspend debt service payments for the world's poorest countries from May 1 until the end of the year.

The initiative accommodates more than 70 countries, including all the least developed nations, as defined by the United Nations, and all International Development Association countries, Zhao said.

China has always adhered to the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and the approach of upholding justice and pursuing shared interests, and is committed to providing assistance within its capacity to poverty reduction and the development of the poorest countries, Zhao said.