[Commentary] On March 26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for diplomatic envoys to China on the joint scientific research work on the traceability of the novel coronavirus between China and the WHO. Feng Zijian, a Chinese expert from the China-WHO Joint Expert Group on the Traceability of the Novel Coronavirus, attended the meeting and said The results of the traceability research work conducted by the international expert group in China show that it is “extremely impossible” for the virus to pass through laboratories. Traceability is a scientific task, and a global perspective should be adhered to.
[Commentary] Feng Zijian introduced that starting from January 2020, the Chinese government has begun to deploy relevant Chinese experts for traceability work, and is also the first to carry out research related to virus traceability with the WHO.
The work of the international expert group in Wuhan has received full support from the local area. Both the international expert group and the Chinese experts are very grateful for the efforts and cooperation of the local government.
[Concurrent] Feng Zijian, Chinese expert of the China-WHO Joint Expert Group on Traceability of New Coronavirus
They looked at many places, including Jinyintan Hospital, South China Seafood Market, Wuhan Virus Institute and so on.
Interviewers include medical staff, laboratory staff, scientific researchers, even patients, and family members of dead patients. The schedule is very full every day.
Regarding the work in Wuhan, experts believe that they have seen everything they want to see, and everyone who wants to see them. The insiders who want to interview have also conducted interviews.
[Explanation] Feng Zijian introduced that members of the international expert team conducted a scientific evaluation of the possibility of four introduction routes of the new coronavirus from the natural host through cold chain food, direct transmission, intermediate host transmission, and laboratory transmission.
[Concurrent] Feng Zijian, Chinese expert of the China-WHO Joint Expert Group on Traceability of New Coronavirus
The (joint expert group) believes that the new coronavirus is likely to pass through the natural host, and then to the intermediate animal host, and then to humans. This method is "very possible."
As for this virus being directly transmitted to humans from natural host animals and introduced into Wuhan area through cold chain food, the conclusions given by these two hypotheses are "possible."
Regarding the hypothesis passed from the laboratory to people, the opinion evaluated by everyone is "extremely impossible."
[Explanation] The survey results of the international expert group showed that environmental sampling after the closure of the South China market showed that the environment was generally polluted by the new crown virus, especially the aquatic product stalls.
[Concurrent] Feng Zijian, Chinese expert of the China-WHO Joint Expert Group on Traceability of New Coronavirus
The cold chain has played a very important role in the spread of the epidemic and the process of introducing it into an area. The cold chain can allow the virus to survive for a long time in the external environment, and after a long journey on the surface of the object, it will again cause human infection.
Looking back at the epidemic in Wuhan, we also need to rethink. This has never happened before the new crown epidemic, and it is beyond the past discoveries and cognitions of the current scientific community.
[Explanation] Feng Zijian said that the international expert group has reached a consensus on the future research direction.
[Concurrent] Feng Zijian, Chinese expert of the China-WHO Joint Expert Group on Traceability of New Coronavirus
At that time, the expert group actually formed such a consensus that traceability is a scientific work, and this work is very complicated. To do a good job of traceability, we cannot focus our attention on a certain time or a certain place. It should be a global perspective, and it must be promoted in a focused and step-by-step manner under global coordination.
[Explanation] The meeting was hosted by Yang Tao, Director of the International Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than 100 envoys and diplomats from 50 countries, the African Union and the Arab League attended the meeting.
Reporter Jean Baokui reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: 【Qi Bin】