Syria backs China's fair stance on virus origins

DAMASCUS－Syria supports China in its rightful and fair stance in the face of pressure exerted by the United States regarding the origins of COVID-19, said the Syrian Foreign Ministry in a statement released on Monday.

According to state news agency SANA, the ministry's statement came after a US intelligence services report on the origins of COVID-19 was submitted to President Joe Biden on Aug 24 by US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

Following Friday's release of the US report summary that still listed a Chinese lab leak as a possibility, Chinese Foreign Vice-Minister Ma Zhaoxu said on Saturday that China has stressed on multiple occasions that origin tracing of COVID-19 is a complex issue of science, which should and can only be undertaken by scientists around the world through joint research.

According to the statement, the Syrian government believes that the position expressed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry insists on a fair scientific approach and promotes understanding that helps the World Health Organization and governments around the world benefit from previous lessons and ensure best practices in eliminating the threats of this epidemic.

It also stated that the Syrian government thanks China for its continuous support to Syria in combating the spread of the virus.

Xinhua