Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sept. 26 that all countries around the world must do everything they can to understand the origins of the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak. The remarks could increase tensions with China.
According to Reuters, Morrison, in a video message to the United Nations General Assembly, said that investigating the origin of the virus would minimize the threat of another global pandemic.
He said, “This virus is a disaster for our world and for our people. We must do everything we can to understand what is going on, for no other reason than to prevent another catastrophe from happening.”
Morrison also noted, “There is a clear requirement to identify the zoonotic origin of coronavirus disease 2019 and how the virus spreads to humans.”
Earlier this year, Morrison made similar comments that led to a deterioration in Australia’s relations with China. He called for a global investigation into the origin of the virus.
China flatly rejected the request, and its ambassador to Canberra warned that the demand for an investigation could lead to a worsening of trade relations between China and Australia. China subsequently imposed trade sanctions on Australia.
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