22.07.2021 – 11:11
There is no second phase of investigation into the origin of the coronavirus, said senior Chinese officials who have categorically rejected the World Health Organization’s plan to study the possibility that the virus could have escaped from a Chinese laboratory.
But Zeng Yixin, deputy minister of China’s National Health Commission, said Beijing could not accept a plan that “ignores common sense and challenges science.” Zeng said he was surprised when he first read the WHO plan because it highlights violations by China in terms of laboratory protocols.
The WHO this month proposed a second phase of investigations into the causes of the pandemic, including audits of laboratories and markets in Wuhan City, demanding transparency from authorities.
“We hope the WHO will seriously review the considerations and suggestions made by Chinese experts and properly address the origins of COVID-19 as a scientific issue and set aside political interference,” Zeng said.
Chinese experts urge WHO to step up efforts to uncover COVID-19 origin beyond China.
“We believe that a laboratory accident is extremely difficult and there is no need to invest more energy and effort in this regard,” said Liang Wannian, the Chinese team leader on the joint WHO team of experts. More animal studies need to be done, especially in places with bat populations, he said.