China is on the verge of eliminating malaria, a senior Chinese health official told a side-gathering Tuesday during the World Health Assembly (WHA) at which Beijing was praised for its efforts in helping other county's fight the lethal disease.

Cui Li, vice minister of China's National Health Commission, on Tuesday addressed an event titled "Country-led and country-owned efforts on malaria elimination to achieving universal health coverage" at Geneva's Palais des Nations during the annual WHA.

"In 2017, for the first time, zero indigenous cases were reported in China, thus the efforts have had a significant impact on the country's elimination roadmap," said Cui at the event that was co-sponsored by China.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked China for its sponsorship role along with Myanmar and Sri Lanka and praised China for what is doing to fund the fight against malaria.