COVID-19 origin tracing should not be disturbed, hyped: Spokesperson

Identifying the origins of the novel coronavirus is a complicated scientific issue that should be carried out by experts rather than being disturbed or hyped, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a daily press briefing, stressing that China has been maintaining an open and transparent approach on the COVID-19 origin tracing.

She added that origin tracing works involve various countries and regions and should be conducted jointly by scientists around the world.

"All parties should maintain a scientific attitude and let the experts do this professional work, rather than hyping or creating disturbances," the spokesperson said.

Calling some U.S. politicians' comments on COVID-19 origin tracing "political manipulation," Hua asked whether the United States could be as open and transparent as China and invite an international expert team for investigation, cooperation and research, or open up its research base at Fort Detrick.