China has denied access to a World Health Organization (WHO) investigation probe team over coronavirus to enter the country.
Director General of the organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed ‘severe dissatisfaction’ over the incident.
The World Health Organization has long held talks with China to investigate the origin of the coronavirus. When China agreed last month, a strong 10-member investigation team was formed in early January.
On Tuesday, two members of the investigation team left for China. But at their last moment, China did not allow them to enter. Others canceled the trip at the last minute due to visa complications.
Mike Ryan, head of the World Health Organization’s emergency services department, said one of the two had returned and the other had taken transit to a third country.
“We learned that Chinese authorities have not yet finalised the necessary permits for the investigation team there,” said Tedros Adhanom.
I have contacted senior officials in China and I reiterate that this mission is a priority for the World Health Organization.
China claims, however, that “there may have been some misunderstandings” and that there is nothing much to study about it.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, “We are still supporting international cooperation and moving forward with internal preparations. We are in contact with the World Health Organization and as far as I know, we are still discussing the date and arrangement.”
