China and the WHO bow to pressure, agree to independent Covid-19 inquiries

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Xi Jinping-led Chinese government have both agreed to independent inquiries probing the origins of the Covid-19 coronavirus, and the former’s handling of the virus.

The WHO bowed to pressure from most of its member states, which have been calling for the launch of an independent probe into how the organisation managed the international response to Covid-19.

A coalition of African, European and other countries continued the call at the WHO’s 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA), which was held via videoconference on Monday.