As previously agreed, two WHO experts came to China in mid-July to have preparatory discussions for scientific cooperation on COVID-19 origin-tracing, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a regular press conference on 29 July. During quarantine, the WHO experts had multiple video meetings with their Chinese counterparts, where they had an in-depth review of the latest global research on the population, environmental, molecular and zoonotic sources of the virus and its transmission routes. They also discussed future research plans.

Wang noted that China and WHO share the basic understanding that origin-tracing of COVID-19 is a scientific matter and should be left to scientists to find out through international scientific research and cooperation. It is also an ongoing process that may involve multiple countries and localities, and WHO will conduct similar trips to other countries and regions if necessary. "We hope that all relevant countries will take the same, positive approach and cooperate with WHO", said Wang.