'It's premature to launch an investigation into origins & spread of Coronavirus': China

Chinese Foreign Minister said that it was premature to immediately launch a probe into origins of coronavirus that has claimed over 316,000 lives worldwide. During a daily press briefing, Foreign Ministery spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that vast majority of countries believe that COVID-19 pandemic is t over yet.

Zhao’s comment came after a draft resolution seeking an independent probe into coronavirus pandemic gained overwhelming support from more than 100 countries. Foreign Ministry’s statement was echoed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during opening ceremony of 73rd session of World Health Assembly on May 18.

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Xi said that China supports a comprehensive review of global response to pandemic led by UN health ncy but only after coronavirus is brought under control. 66-year-old leer asserted that China has been open and transparent about virus outbreak from beginning and will support a probe if it is conducted in an objective and impartial manner.

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"Impartial, independent and comprehensive" probe into COVID-19 crisis

draft calls for "impartial, independent and comprehensive" probe into COVID-19 crisis and an inquiry into actions of WHO and “timelines pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic”. WHO Chief Tedros ham Ghebreyesus has also welcomed proposed resolution saying such evaluation must encompass entirety of response by all actors, in good faith.

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Chinese leer also pledged that any COVID-19 vaccine developed in country will be me “global public good” as Beijing’s contribution to pandemic response. He ded that Beijing will work with United Nations to set up a global humanitarian response depot and hub in China.

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(Picture credit: AP)