China said on Friday it supports a World Health Organization-led review into the global response to the coronavirus outbreak, but “after the pandemic is over”.
The comments from foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying came as China has faced increasing global pressure in recent weeks to allow an international investigation into the origins of the pandemic.
The review should be conducted in an “open, transparent and inclusive manner” under the leadership of World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Hua said at a briefing.
But she added that it should be at an “appropriate time after the pandemic is over”. China also stressed that any inquiry should be based on the International Health Regulations, and be authorised by the World Health Assembly or Executive Committee — the WHO’s dual governing bodies.