SYDNEY (Reuters) – The nations of the world must do all they can to understand the origins of COVID-19, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morris said on Saturday, adding that the remarks could worsen tensions with China.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Morrison said investigating the origin of the virus would reduce the risk of another global epidemic.
“The virus has wreaked havoc on our world and its people. “We all have to understand what happened for a purpose other than preventing it from happening again,” Morrison was told via a teleconference video link.
“There is a clear command to identify the zoonotic source of the COVID-19 virus and how it was transmitted to humans.”
Morrison’s remarks came after a similar remark by the prime minister earlier this year that boosted relations between Australia and China.
At the time, he led global demands for an investigation into the origin of COVID-19. China has strongly condemned the move, with Beijing’s ambassador to Canberra warning of an investigation call that could sour trade ties with Chenning.
China has since imposed trade sanctions on Australia. It suspended some meat imports on technology and effectively blocked the ના 999 million (8 808.5 million) trade in barley by imposing a .50.5% tariff on Australian Australian imports. China has also launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine imports.
Australia, meanwhile, has asked all nations to distribute a Covid-19 vaccine.
Australia signed a vaccination agreement with AstraZeneca earlier this year AZN.L, With the first batch set to be delivered in January 2021, if the trials prove successful.
Australia Australia has said it will supply with smaller Pacific island countries.
(1 = 1.4231 Australian Australian dollars)
Reported by Colin Peckham; Edited by Cynthia Osterman
.
