In a recent response to inquiries regarding the origins of COVID-19, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated the country's dedication to scientific openness and transparency. China has actively supported and engaged in global scientific tracing, rejecting any attempts at political manipulation. This statement comes in light of a World Health Organization (WHO) request for China to share data and facilitate access to information necessary for understanding the origins of the virus. The WHO underscored that this effort is both a moral and scientific imperative.
Mao indicated that after the emergence of COVID-19, China swiftly provided the WHO and the international community with critical information about the outbreak, including the virus's genetic sequence. Furthermore, the country has freely shared its experiences regarding prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment, significantly aiding the global response to the pandemic. She noted that China has uniquely invited WHO’s international expert group multiple times for cooperation on tracing the origins of COVID-19.
According to Mao, China has contributed the most data and research that has been beneficial for the global inquiry into the virus's origins. She referenced statements from WHO experts who, during their visits to China, were able to access all necessary locations, meet with relevant individuals, and examine pertinent materials, finding that China's level of openness surpassed their expectations. Mao highlighted that growing evidence in the international scientific community is emerging about the origins of COVID-19, calling for a collaborative, global approach to tracing efforts, and expressed China's willingness to work with other nations in scientific tracing research to help prevent future infectious diseases.
6 Comments
Rotfront
Inviting WHO experts is a good first step, but their access must be completely unrestricted, including to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Matzomaster
The WHO experts' positive assessment of China's openness during their visits should be acknowledged.
Karamba
China's focus on a 'collaborative approach' feels like an attempt to control the narrative and avoid accountability.
Marishka
The world deserves answers, not just more rhetoric. China needs to come clean about the origins of COVID-19.
Pupsik
China's early sharing of the virus's genetic sequence was crucial for the global response to the pandemic.
Raphael
China's transparency claim is contradicted by its previous obstruction of investigations. They need to fully cooperate, not just boast about past actions.