Australia demands openness about origin and approach to corona crisis Abroad

Minister Marise Payne (Foreign Affairs) told broadcaster ABC that there should also be clarity about how China handled the outbreak in Wuhan, the metropolis where the virus first emerged. She wants details about the “origin of the virus, how it was handled and the openness with which information was shared.”

The minister believes that such an investigation should not be carried out by the WHO. That organization itself plays a leading role in the fight against the virus. US President Donald Trump has blamed WHO for not tackling the crisis well. He has therefore temporarily suspended the American financial contribution to the health organization.

Australia is also critical of the WHO. Australian Minister Greg Hunt (Health) says that the way some WHO officials in Geneva dealt with the corona crisis “has not helped the world.” According to him, Australia was successful in the fight against the virus because it followed its own line.

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