China asks Australia to stop political actions on COVID-19

Beijing: China would welcome it if Australia gives up its political manipulation on COVID-19 and returns to the broad consensus of the international community, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday.

A draft resolution on COVID-19, drafted by the European Union (EU) and co-sponsored by dozens of countries, has been submitted to the World Health Assembly (WHA). Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Monday reportedly described this as international support for an “independent review” of the pandemic and “a win for the international community.”