Senior diplomats from China and the US have lashed out at each other at a meeting of the UN Security Council, deepening a row over the coronavirus pandemic.

China’s ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, used his speech to reject US attempts to blame the country for the pandemic.

“I must say, enough is enough! You have created enough troubles for the world already,” he told the meeting via video link on Thursday. “If someone should be held accountable, it should be a few US politicians themselves.”

His comments appeared to be a response to US President Donald Trump, who called for China to be held “accountable” for the pandemic in his address to the UN General Assembly earlier this week.

Tensions between China and the US have flared over the pandemic and a number of other issues, including trade and alleged human rights abuses.

The US ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, voiced anger at the tone of Thursday’s UN Security Council meeting.

“You know, shame on each of you. I am astonished and I am disgusted by the content of today’s discussion,” Craft said.