WHO Requests Data from China for COVID Origin Investigation... China Strongly Opposes

Employees at an auto parts manufacturing plant in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the origin of the COVID-19 controversy, underwent COVID-19 nucleic acid testing on the 4th.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the World Health Organization (WHO) has once again requested more data from China to clarify the origin of COVID-19, China has strongly opposed this demand.

On the 12th (local time), WHO stated in a press release, "China and several other member states sent letters to WHO regarding additional research evidence on the 'laboratory leak theory.'" They expressed that the research on the origin of COVID-19 has been politicized or that WHO acted under political pressure.

However, WHO said, "After reviewing the Phase 1 study report, we concluded that there is insufficient scientific evidence to rule out any hypothesis," adding, "It is especially important to consider access to all data and scientific best practices to address the 'laboratory hypothesis.'" They continued, "Research on the origin of the COVID-19 virus is not and should not be an activity for blame or finger-pointing," and "WHO is solely focused on science, providing solutions, and building solidarity."

On the 13th, Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Foreign Minister of China, held an online briefing for diplomats stationed in China and foreign journalists, stating, "Because WHO did not accept the scientific conclusions, over 100 countries sent letters or issued statements to the WHO Secretariat supporting the Phase 1 investigation results and opposing the politicization of COVID-19."

Vice Minister Ma further said, "Scientists should find the transmission route of the virus from animals to humans to prevent risks and protect human lives," and strongly criticized the United States, which advocates the Wuhan Institute origin theory, saying, "No country has the right to politicize scientific issues or smear other countries for political gain."

Previously, in February, WHO sent experts to Wuhan, China, to conduct an origin investigation and concluded that the hypothesis that COVID-19 started from bats, passed through an intermediate host, and then transmitted to humans is more likely, while the 'laboratory origin theory' was deemed extremely unlikely.

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