White House cites ‘deep concerns’ about WHO report on Covid-19, demands early data from China
- National security adviser expresses concern about possible interference by Chinese government
- Latest sign that the new administration remains distrustful of Beijing
The Biden administration raised new concerns on Saturday over the possibility of Chinese government interference in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus in Wuhan.
“We have deep concerns about the way in which the early findings of the Covid-19 investigation were communicated and questions about the process used to reach them,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
“It is imperative that this report be independent, with expert findings free from intervention or alteration by the Chinese government,” he said.
“To better understand this pandemic and prepare for the next one, China must make available its data from the earliest days of the outbreak.”
The comments from Sullivan, the president’s top national security official, are the latest sign that Washington under the new administration remains deeply distrustful of Beijing and its relationship with the WHO – even as President Joe Biden has moved to re-enter the organisation after the Trump administration walked away from it last year.