BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s foreign ministry stated on Tuesday that the country has been actively sharing COVID-19 data and research findings with the international community, in response to recent calls by the World Health Organization (WHO) for increased information and access.
During a regular news conference, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, highlighted that China has been leading efforts to collaborate with the WHO by organizing expert consultations to discuss progress on tracing the origins of the virus. This collaborative approach with the WHO has been reiterated on multiple occasions, demonstrating China’s commitment to transparency and cooperation in the global fight against the pandemic.
In a statement issued on Monday, the WHO once again urged China to provide crucial data and access to support investigations into the origins of COVID-19. The virus was first detected in central China five years ago, leading to a global health crisis that has seen over 760 million confirmed cases and 6.9 million deaths worldwide.
While the WHO declared an end to the public health emergency related to COVID-19 in mid-2023, it underscored the need for continued vigilance and preparedness against future viral threats. The organization emphasized that the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should serve as a reminder of the potential risks posed by emerging infectious diseases.
Chinese scientists shared valuable data from the early stages of the pandemic with the international community by uploading information to a global database in early 2023. This data revealed the presence of genetic material from various animal species, including raccoon dogs, in environmental samples that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Insights from this data have contributed to a better understanding of the potential animal origins of the virus.
In 2021, a team of experts convened by the WHO conducted an investigation in and around Wuhan, where the initial COVID-19 cases were reported. The team concluded that the virus likely originated in bats and was transmitted to humans through an intermediary animal species. However, further research and collaboration are deemed necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the virus’s origins and transmission dynamics.
China has maintained a stance that additional visits by international experts to Wuhan are unnecessary, asserting that efforts to trace the early cases of COVID-19 should encompass a broader global perspective. Mao reiterated China’s commitment to cooperation, stating that the country has been at the forefront of sharing data and research outcomes to support global efforts in tracing the origins of the virus.
In conclusion, China’s proactive engagement with the WHO and its ongoing commitment to transparency in sharing COVID-19 data underscore the importance of international collaboration in addressing global health challenges. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of the pandemic, cooperation and data sharing remain essential pillars in the quest for a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 and its origins.
