WHO, "Chinese Expert Team Dispatched, Advance Team Did Not Go to Wuhan" Clarifies Controversy

Last Month's WHO Expert Team Criticized for Not Visiting Near Wuhan
WHO Secretary-General: "They Were Just an Advance Team for Preparatory Work, Will Go Later"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified criticisms that two experts dispatched to China last month to investigate the origin of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) did not even visit Wuhan, Hubei Province, known as the epicenter, stating that "they were an advance team and had no plans to go there." Concerns are growing that rumors about close ties between the WHO and China, raised by some Western countries including the United States and Europe, will further escalate.

On the 27th (local time), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, explained during a virtual press briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, that reports by some foreign media claiming that the two international experts dispatched to China last month did not visit Wuhan were incorrect. Director-General Ghebreyesus stated, "These two experts were an advance team visiting for preliminary work ahead of the international expert team to be dispatched to China," adding, "Once the international expert team is formed, they will naturally visit Wuhan."

Last month, the WHO dispatched a team of two international experts, including an animal health specialist and an epidemiologist, to China for three weeks to investigate the origin of COVID-19. Major foreign media, citing a senior U.S. official, reported that the investigation team did not visit Wuhan, known as the epicenter of COVID-19, but stayed only in Beijing to complete their investigation, sparking worldwide controversy.

There are concerns that this incident could further strengthen the accusations from Western countries such as the United States and Europe regarding China's responsibility for COVID-19 and rumors about close ties between China and the WHO. Dave Sharma, a member of the Australian House of Representatives, strongly criticized in a press conference, saying, "This is yet another incident that undermines trust in the WHO, which is responsible for global public health," and added, "We are all bearing enormous costs due to actions that prioritize the political considerations of member states over the interests of global public health."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.