Mr Xi told the World Health Assembly in Geneva that China had been open and transparent about the coronavirus outbreak which started in Hubei province in late 2019, and said his country would support an investigation “conducted in an objective and impartial way,” reports abc.net.au.
China will also provide $US2 billion ($3.09b) over two years towards helping with the COVID-19 response and Mr Xi promised any vaccine developed by his country would be made a global public good.
Mr Xi did not indicate whether China would vote for a joint resolution by Australia and other countries calling for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, which is expected to happen later on Monday.
He described the pandemic as the “most serious global public health emergency” since World War II and defended his country’s handling of the crisis, which has come under fierce criticism from the United States and President Donald Trump.
“We have turned the tide on the virus”. Push for independent coronavirus inquiry Australia is one of almost 120 WHO member nations backing a European Union draft motion calling for “impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of the “international health response to COVID-19”.
Health Minister Greg Hunt is expected to deliver an address later on Monday backing the EU resolution and outlining Australia’s response to the crisis.
Australia was the first nation after the US to call for an independent probe, including into the initial handling of the outbreak in Hubei Province and the city of Wuhan, drawing angry protests from China.
But since then, it has toned down some of its demands, while working to both toughen up — and gather support for — the EU motion.
