China says WHO Wuhan visit preparations ongoing

A local Wuhan couple enjoying an evening walk in the city last month, a year after the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Wuhan, Hubei province. - Reuters

Beijing, Jan 9, 2021 (AFP): China confirmed Saturday that preparations were still ongoing for a World Health Organisation mission to Wuhan to investigate the origins of Covid-19, following a rare rebuke from the UN body over a delay to the long-planned trip.

The comments came after the WHO chief said on Tuesday he was "very disappointed" that Beijing had yet to finalise permission even as the team of experts had begun travelling to China to explore the beginnings of the virus, which first emerged in late 2019 in the central city.