Residents wait in line to provide swab samples to be tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus, in a street in Wuhan in China’s central province of Hubei on May 15, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

President Xi Jinping says China supports a ‘comprehensive’ inquiry into the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic after it ‘has been brought under control,’ stressing that Beijing has acted with ‘openness and transparency’ in dealing with the contagious disease since its outbreak.

The Chinese leader made the comments at the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly, which was held through videoconferencing, on Monday, stressing that China has always had an open, transparent and responsible attitude.

Xi further noted that the Chinese government had also shared information about the new coronavirus with the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant countries in a timely manner.

We have released the genome sequence at the earliest possible time, he said, adding that Beijing had also shared control and treatment experience with the world without reservation.

The Chinese leader stressed that his country had done everything in its power to support and assist countries in need.

The Chinese government introduced draconian measures to combat the spread of the new coronavirus and has largely managed to contain the disease, which as of Monday, has infested more than 82,950 people in China and killed over 4,430 others.

In China, after making painstaking efforts and enormous sacrifice, we have turned the tide on the virus and protected the life and health of our people, Xi added.

The assembly, held online for the first time in its history, is expected to discuss a resolution purposed by the European Union (EU) that calls for an impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation of the global response to crisis caused by COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus has so far infected over 4,827,380 people and claimed the lives of more than 317,000 others across the world since its emergence in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

The Chinese president further told the virtual meeting via video that the comprehensive evaluation into the global response should sum up experiences and improve shortcomings.

The United States has time and again makes cover-up allegation against China, accusing Beijing of failing to report the outbreak in a timely fashion, not sharing all the information it had about the new coronavirus, including its ability of human-to-human transmission.

The Chinese government strongly denies the allegations and says they amount to disinformation, through which Washington attempts to bully Beijing.

China’s COVID-19 vaccine will be for all human beings: Xi

Elsewhere in his remarks on Monday, the Chinese president assured that all peoples around the globe would benefit from any vaccine China developed for the contagious disease.

After the research and development of China’s coronavirus vaccine is completed and it is put into use, it will be made a global public good, Xi stated, adding that the move would also be China’s contribution to achieving accessibility and affordability of a vaccine in developing countries.

The Chinese President also told the assembly that China would provide $2 billion in global COVID-19 aid over two years.

Last week, Zeng Yixin, the deputy director of China’s National Health Commission, announced that more vaccine candidates were in the pipeline and awaiting approval for human trials.

According to experts, it will take at least 12 to 18 months, or even a longer period, to make an effective vaccine against COVID-19.

SOURCE: PRESS TV