Science, Not Politics, Must Lead Covid Origin Tracing
坚持科学原则真溯源，反对政治操弄假溯源
Politik Publishes a Signed Article by Ambassador Wu Xi
吴玺大使在政治新闻网发表署名文章
9 August 2021
2021年8月9日
A Chinese proverb says ‘if you are standing upright, don’t worry if your shadow is crooked’. When it comes to tracing the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, China is committed to standing up for science and multilateralism and opposing political manipulation. It is widely recognised that viruses are a common enemy of mankind, and can only be defeated through solidarity and cooperation among the international community. Origin-tracing of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for the effective control and prevention of the pandemic, and should be conducted globally in an objective and scientific manner. Political manipulation will only lead to division and disunity among countries.
在新冠病毒溯源问题上，中国始终坚持以科学为指引，反对政治操弄。当前，世界各国依然面临新冠肺炎疫情的巨大挑战，国际社会只有团结协作才能战而胜之。病毒溯源对有效防控疫情具有重要意义，应在全球范围坚持科学原则、本着客观态度开展溯源工作，而政治操弄则会使国际团结抗疫滋生嫌隙、产生分裂。
China has been working closely with the WHO to support SARS-CoV-2 origin tracing. WHO experts were invited to China on two occasions to conduct joint research for origin tracing, with access to all locations they wanted to visit and all people they wanted to meet in order to reach scientific conclusions. One of these conclusions was that “a laboratory leak is extremely unlikely”. Experts also recommended “searching for possible early cases on a global scale” and “studying the possibility of cold-chain transmission of the virus”. The international experts participating in the phase 1 study are all renowned top scientists recommended by the WHO and its member states. Their scientific, objective, impartial and balanced conclusions and recommendations are widely recognised and respected by the international and science communities.
中国始终以开放的态度积极参与全球溯源合作。中方已两次邀请世卫组织专家来华开展溯源联合研究，并为此付出了巨大努力。专家们去了所有想去的地方，见到了所有希望见到的人，作出了“实验室泄漏极不可能”的科学结论，并提出“在全球范围内搜寻可能的早期病例”、“研究冷链传播病毒的可能性”等重要建议。参与第一阶段病毒溯源的国际专家组成员均为世卫组织及其成员国推荐的权威专家，作出的结论和建议科学、客观、公正、均衡，获得国际社会和科学界的广泛认可。
China believes the second phase of the study should focus on searching for early cases, molecular epidemiology, and the introduction of animal (intermediate) hosts in multiple countries and regions, based on extensive consultation with member states. It should be evidence-based, science-driven and carried out on the solid basis of the phase 1 study. The phase 2 study should not be carried out in places that have already been inspected in phase 1, especially places where a clear conclusion has already been reached by experts. In order to maintain the continuity, impartiality and credibility of the study, experts in other fields should also be added appropriately on the basis of the original composition of experts of the phase 1 study.
第二阶段溯源应在世卫组织成员国充分广泛磋商的基础上，在全球多国多地范围内开展早期病例搜索、分子流行病学、动物（中间）宿主引入等方面的溯源研究，应坚持科学证据为指引，切实开展科学溯源国际合作。第一阶段病毒溯源时已经开展过的，尤其是已经有明确结论的研究，第二阶段不应再重复开展。第二阶段病毒溯源应继续以第一阶段溯源专家构成为基础，确有需要补充其他领域专家的，可以在原有专家组成基础上适当增加。这有利于保持溯源研究工作的延续性，也有利于保证下阶段溯源工作的权威性和公正性。
Attempts at political manipulation will only divert global efforts to accurately trace the origin of the virus and dampen the prospects of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why the international community is united in its opposition to any politicisation of the process. More than 60 countries have now written to the WHO, endorsing the results of the first phase of the origin-tracing research and opposing attempts to politicise the study. This reflects the shared aspiration of the international community and demonstrates where justice lies.
政治操弄只会将全球溯源努力引入歧途，给全球抗疫前景蒙上阴影。国际社会应团结起来，一致反对任何将溯源政治化的错误行径。近日，60多个国家致函世卫组织总干事，认同第一阶段溯源研究成果，反对溯源政治化图谋，这反映出国际社会的共同呼声，体现了国际正义。
The people of China and New Zealand both adhere to truth and believe in science. The Māori proverb Whaowhia te kete mātauranga tells us to ‘fill the basket of knowledge’, and reflects the words of Prime Minister Ardern that New Zealanders are interested in learning, rather than “blame or any kind of witch hunt.”
中国和新西兰人民都坚持真理、尊重科学。正如毛利谚语所说，“要用知识装满篮子”。新总理阿德恩也指出，新方旨在从病毒溯源中汲取经验教训，而无意进行指责和猎巫。
With the same approach, China is committed to jointly building a community of common health for mankind and works with the international community to enhance solidarity rather than stoking conflict. China is actively implementing follow-up and further research recommendations made in the phase 1 joint report. China will continue to support and participate in global origin-tracing cooperation in the spirit of openness, transparency, science and cooperation as stipulated in resolution WHA 73.1, and will continue to actively engage in international cooperation to counter the pandemic.
中国致力于推动构建人类卫生健康共同体，愿同国际社会一道加强团结协作，共同抵制所有破坏抗疫合作、刻意制造分歧矛盾的行为。中方正在积极落实第一阶段联合研究报告明确提出的建议，将以世卫大会73.1号决议为指导，秉持公开、透明、科学、合作精神，继续支持并参与全球溯源工作。
With a united effort led by science rather than politics, I firmly believe we will defeat the pandemic at an early date.
我们坚信，世界各国只要团结一致，坚持以科学为指引，拒绝政治操弄，定能早日赢得抗击疫情的最终胜利。