Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry Photo: VCG

A group of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) visited on Wednesday the Wuhan Institute of Virology and Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province where they exchanged important information with Chinese scientists on the origins of the coronavirus, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Wednesday’s routine press conference that “it should be pointed out that tracking the virus is a complex scientific problem, we need to provide enough space for experts in scientific research. China will, as always, be open, transparent, and responsible, and continue to maintain cooperation with the WHO.”

On Tuesday’s press conference, Wang called on the US to invite WHO experts to conduct investigations into the virus origins as China has. On Wednesday, in response to the question whether China will formally request the WHO to go to the US, Wang replied that tracing the coronavirus origins should be carried out with the cooperation of scientists all over the world.

With an open and transparent attitude, China has maintained close communication and cooperation with the WHO and provided strong support and assistance to the WHO experts in China. Many clues, reports and studies indicate that the virus and epidemic already appeared in many places around the world as early as the second half of 2019. WHO should conduct similar visits to other countries and regions to trace the origins of the coronavirus based on the facts and responsibilities, Wang said. 

We hope that relevant parties, like China, will adopt a positive, scientific and cooperative attitude on tracing the virus origins, invite WHO experts to carry out research, and assume their due responsibilities and obligations for international cooperation in fighting the epidemic, Wang said. 

Global Times