China News Service, Beijing, August 13 (Reporter Huang Yuqin) Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Foreign Minister of China, stated at the briefing of the diplomatic envoys to China on the traceability of the new crown virus on the 13th that the second phase of the WHO traceability work plan is not based on China-WHO The joint research report did not adopt its scientific conclusions and recommendations.
Ma Zhaoxu pointed out that recently, the WHO Secretariat has proposed the second-stage traceability work plan without fully consulting with member states.
We believe that this work plan is not based on the China-WHO joint research report, and did not adopt the scientific conclusions and recommendations contained therein. It is of course questioned and opposed by member states.
Ma Zhaoxu said that more than 70 countries have expressed support for the China-WHO joint research report on traceability and opposed the politicization of traceability issues by writing to the WHO Director-General, issuing statements or notes.
More than 30 countries have clearly expressed objections or reservations to the WHO Secretariat’s work plan.
There are also political parties, organizations, experts, scholars, and media in many countries that express their opposition to political tracing in different ways and adhere to the position of scientific tracing.
More than 300 political parties, social organizations and think tanks in more than 100 countries and regions in the world submitted a "Joint Statement" to the WHO Secretariat, calling on the WHO to conduct research on the traceability of the new coronavirus in an objective and fair manner, and resolutely oppose the politicization of traceability issues.
Ma Zhaoxu elaborated on China's four-point position on the global traceability of the new crown virus.
First, the traceability of the virus is a scientific issue. It should and can only be studied by scientists to find the animal source of the virus and the way of transmission to humans, so as to better prevent future risks and protect the life and health of all human beings.
No country has the right to disregard life for its own political self-interest, politicize scientific issues, and slander other countries.
Second, the China-WHO joint research report has drawn conclusions and recommendations recognized by the international community and the scientific community, which must be respected and implemented by all parties including the WHO Secretariat.
The future global traceability work should and can only be carried out on the basis of this report, rather than starting anew.
Third, China has always supported and will continue to participate in scientific traceability. China is and will continue to implement the relevant work recommendations of the China-WHO joint research report.
What we oppose is political tracing, what we oppose is tracing that violates the resolution of the World Health Assembly, what we oppose is abandoning the tracing of the China-WHO joint research report, and what we support is scientific tracing.
Fourth, WHO is dominated by member states, and traceability work is of great importance. Global traceability work should and must be led by member states. The Secretariat should fully consult with member states regarding the global traceability work plan, including follow-up mechanisms, and fully respect the opinions of member states. The traceability plan of the country concerned should be negotiated and determined with the country concerned. Only on this basis can effective cooperation be carried out. It is also clearly stipulated by the WHO resolution. (Finish)