Scholar says COVID-19 origin tracing should extend to multiple countries

As of now, 70 countries have voiced opposition to politicizing the disease's origins and emphasized the importance of upholding the joint China-WHO study report by sending letters and issuing statements to the WHO director-general.

On Aug. 2, over 300 political parties, social societies and think tanks in over 100 countries and regions opposed politicizing the issue in a joint statement sent to the WHO Secretariat.

"Dealing with the havoc in the region and the world caused by COVID-19 is not the responsibility of any single country. Collective efforts, actions and measures are vital to effectively fight this pandemic and to achieve socio-economic recovery as well as enhance partnership for sustainable and inclusive development," he said.

Phea said that China has played an important role in fighting COVID-19 and helping other countries rebuild their economies during the pandemic.