Geneva/Beijing: China today blamed “political manipulation” for the World Health Organization’s decision to discontinue the second phase of the planned study into the origins of the virus. WHO blamed China for discontinuing the study and claimed that Beijing was no longer cooperating with that effort.
Beijing claimed that at present, more and more clues from the international science community were pointing the origins of SARS-CoV-2 to sources around the world. “Many have raised questions and concerns about US bio-military bases at Fort Detrick and around the world. The WHO and the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins on Novel Pathogens (SAGO) should take a close look at these clues, effectively cooperate with these relevant countries, and share research findings with all parties in a timely way,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters here today. He hoped the WHO will keep its position on this issue objective and just, and contribute its part to science-based global origins research and a united response to COVID-19.
“China’s position on the study of the origins of SARS-CoV-2 is consistent. We always support and participate in science-based global origins tracing. At the same time, we firmly oppose all forms of political manipulation,” Wenbin said. He argued that China was the only country that invited WHO expert groups to come into the country to conduct joint SARS-CoV-2 origins study more than once – “Ever since COVID-19 broke out, the Chinese side had twice received WHO experts for origins-tracing cooperation, which produced a scientific and authoritative joint report and laid a solid foundation for global origins-tracing.” He further pointed out that China was also the only country to provide multiple opportunities for its experts to share progress on virus origins-tracing with SAGO.
“China has shared more data and research findings on SARS-CoV-2 origins study than any other country. This fully demonstrates China’s open, transparent and responsible attitude and its support for the work of the WHO and SAGO,” he claimed and said China will continue to support science-based global origins-tracing and keep up communication and cooperation with the WHO.
Wenbin further noted that after the WHO established SAGO, it was China which recommended experts to join the group and organized events for Chinese experts to share research findings with the WHO Secretariat and SAGO.
– global bihari bureau
