China denounces COVID-19 'lab leak' theory, calls for cooperation on origin trac ...

A spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the UK denounced the COVID-19 "lab leak" theory on Thursday and called for a scientist-led study on the issue and global cooperation.

"Study of virus origins is a scientific issue that should not be politicized. We stand for a scientists-led study of origins featuring solidarity and cooperation, not stoking confrontation and sowing division," the spokesperson said in statement.

The spokesperson noted that "a laboratory origin of the pandemic was considered to be extremely unlikely," a conclusion from the joint WHO-China study mission, is an authoritative and official conclusion based on science.