The UN asks to collaborate in the investigation into the origin of the coronavirus | Facing the dispute between the United States and China

The UN urged countries to “fully cooperate” with the World Health Organization (WHO) to continue the investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, in the middle of new tensions between China and the United States this subject.

“We implore all Member States, including China, to cooperate fully with the WHO,” UN Secretariat spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a press conference, during which asked countries to provide the “information” necessary for the investigation.

China on Thursday rejected a request from the WHO to make a further visit to the country and audit its laboratories, as part of a larger investigation into the origin of the pandemic.

The proposal is “disrespectful of common sense and arrogant towards science,” said Chinese Vice Minister of Health Zeng Yixin, who said he was “extremely surprised” by the request.

Last week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus offered to carry out “checks of active laboratories or research facilities in the region where the first cases were identified in December 2019”, a reference to Wuhan city.

On the contrary, Chinese authorities and the media point to the US laboratory at Fort Detrick, a research center from which there have been leaks of contagious viruses, as a possible source of the virus.

The theory of an escape from a Chinese laboratory was promoted by the American government of Donald Trump (2017-2021), dismissed by the experts, and again taken into account by the White House, now headed by President Joe Biden .

“We are deeply disappointed. Their position (of China) is irresponsible and frankly dangerous. The United States supports the WHO plan for phase two, which is committed to ensuring that these studies are scientific, transparent, expert-led and free of interference, “White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki said this week.

This new dispute comes in the middle of the visit that Wendy Sherman, US Under Secretary of State, is making to the country this weekend, with the aim of restoring the degraded relations between the two countries.

This is the top-level diplomatic visit of President Biden’s government, at a time of maximum tension with China over criticism of the origin of the pandemic, human rights and cybersecurity.