Beijing claims Western nations waging smear campaign
China has lashed out at Australia and the United States for what it calls political manipulation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia has been at the forefront of calls for an independent investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic and the response to it, and U. S. President Donald Trump has blamed China for the global pandemic.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne praised the World Health Resolution passed Tuesday that demands an independent “comprehensive evaluation” of the organization’s global response to the coronavirus pandemic. The resolution was submitted to the World Health Assembly by the European Union and other WHO members. Payne described it as “a win for the international community.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday that China would welcome the investigation if Australia would return to the broad consensus of the international community. He said Beijing has always supported a comprehensive review of the pandemic as long as it is led by the WHO and conducted in professional and impartial manner.
