Australia welcomes growing support for COVID-19 inquiry at WHO meeting

By Kirsty Needham

 

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A resolution pushed by the European Union and Australia calling for a review into the origins and spread of the novel coronavirus has the support of 116 countries at the World Health Assembly, almost enough for it to pass, a document showed.

 

The resolution on the coronavirus will be put forward on Tuesday if it gains backing from two-thirds of the 194 members of the assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization.

 

China has strongly opposed calls for an international investigation into the pandemic but appeared more amenable to the resolution on Monday.

 

A copy of the draft resolution seen by Reuters on Monday showed support from 116 members was locked in, although Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said negotiations were going on and she did not want to pre-empt the outcome.

 

The resolution was "an important part of the conversation we started, and I am very grateful to the efforts of those in the European Union and those many drafters who have been part of the negotiations for the past few weeks", Payne told reporters.

 

The resolution was comprehensive and included a call for "an examination of the zoonotic origins of the coronavirus", she said.

 

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman played-down Australia's involvement in the resolution, attributing it solely to the EU, and said China was consulted on the content of the draft.

 

"China, along with other countries, took an active part in these consultations and agreed on the unifying of the text," the ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, told a regular briefing in Beijing, though he stopped short of saying China supported the measure.

 

More than 4.64 million people are reported to have been infected around the world with the coronavirus that emerged in central China late last year. More than 310,000 have died.

 

Australia - which has reported only 99 deaths - says it wants to prevent a repeat of the pandemic that has paralysed economic activity around the world and is not looking to cast blame.

 

"I hope that China will participate," Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said on Monday as he welcomed building support for an inquiry.

 

'SIGNIFICANT EVENT'

 

Among the co-sponsors of the resolution are India, Japan, South Korea, an African group of 47 member countries, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Britain and Canada.

 

The resolution calls for "scientific and collaborative field missions" to trace the path of transmission, saying this would reduce the risk of similar events.

 

It also says a review should start at the "earliest appropriate moment".

 

Some countries still suffering high daily death tolls from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, have said it is too soon for an investigation.

 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a media conference it was "natural that after such a significant event, we would want to take a look at what we should all have learned from this experience".

 

Birmingham said he has been unable to schedule a phone call with his Chinese counterpart, Zhong Shan, to discuss trade friction, including China's suspension of Australian beef imports and a dumping investigation into Australian barley that could see an 80% tariff imposed on Tuesday.

 

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said he had not had a reply to his request for a call with his Chinese counterpart.

 

In Beijing, Zhong said the two countries were in communication.

 

"If the Australian Trade Minister wishes to contact his counterpart he should do it through the appropriate channel," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao said.

 

Last month, China's ambassador to Australia warned of a boycott by Chinese consumers if Australia pursued an investigation, prompting Australian ministers to accuse China of "economic coercion".

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-18

 

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10 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

"China, along with other countries, took an active part in these consultations and agreed on the unifying of the text," the ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, told a regular briefing in Beijing, though he stopped short of saying China supported the measure.

I only believe it when it's approved.... China is known for their last minute change of mind

good job Australia ....  unfortunately you will suffer enormously as China will stop importing.

They have already looked into stopping Barley imports with an exorbitant tax placed on it, and now they have blocked beef imports from Australia, wine will follow and many other items i expect.

It's kinda like ...  play buy our rules or no money. 

14 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

I only believe it when it's approved.... China is known for their last minute change of mind

Yes that's why they suddenly cancelled most beef imports from Australia

and put a 82% tariff on barley 

44 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

China has strongly opposed calls for an international investigation into the pandemic but appeared more amenable to the resolution on Monday.

I can't image why.

Why is Australia playing at being the USA's deputy sheriff by shooting itself in the foot? Why can't Trump lead this charge to deflect from his own incompetence? He loves trade wars with China.

Whatever the Aussie government may say about wanting to see independent transparency blah blah blah why this mad rush and high moral ground to attribute blame? Why can't a full inquiry wait until the world is on top of this pandemic and a vaccine discovered? 

 

So let's say a report lands on the Australian Prime Minister's desk 3 months, 6 months, 12 months' time after he has devastated Australia's farming and mining industries by provoking a trade war with China. What's he going to do with the report...use it as a door stop? 

 

I also would like to know the train of events that caused this pandemic, but top priority for now I would have thought is to stay safe and defeat the virus, and thus get the world economy up and running asap. Let the postmortems come later.

 

 

 

Just why is Australia bending the knee to the US. If trade with China hits difficulties then Oz will be the big loser.

 

Can't these people see that the US's days are numbered.

11 hours ago, dexterm said:

Why is Australia playing at being the USA's deputy sheriff by shooting itself in the foot? Why can't Trump lead this charge to deflect from his own incompetence? He loves trade wars with China.

Whatever the Aussie government may say about wanting to see independent transparency blah blah blah why this mad rush and high moral ground to attribute blame? Why can't a full inquiry wait until the world is on top of this pandemic and a vaccine discovered? 

 

So let's say a report lands on the Australian Prime Minister's desk 3 months, 6 months, 12 months' time after he has devastated Australia's farming and mining industries by provoking a trade war with China. What's he going to do with the report...use it as a door stop? 

 

I also would like to know the train of events that caused this pandemic, but top priority for now I would have thought is to stay safe and defeat the virus, and thus get the world economy up and running asap. Let the postmortems come later.

 

 

 

The time to investigate the source of the breakout is always as soon as possible, it is much more effective at preventing future outbreaks or second waves.  From coverage so far many medical experts and Govts are extremely worried about the predicted second wave.   Investigation when the evidence is still there and people's memories are clearer always gives a better picture, and hopefully equips all parties to take more effective preventative action.  Actions to destroy forensic evidence and gag witnesses is highly suspicious.

There is no justification for trade wars in this case as the two are, and should be, completely unconnected.  For China to threaten damage to farming and mining industries as a result of any country wanting to be better prepared for future waves of the pandemic is vindictive and possibly the actions of a guilty party.

Knowing what happened and being prepared for the second wave is the best way to protect already fragile economies both now and in the future.

1 hour ago, animalmagic said:

The time to investigate the source of the breakout is always as soon as possible, it is much more effective at preventing future outbreaks or second waves.  From coverage so far many medical experts and Govts are extremely worried about the predicted second wave.   Investigation when the evidence is still there and people's memories are clearer always gives a better picture, and hopefully equips all parties to take more effective preventative action.  Actions to destroy forensic evidence and gag witnesses is highly suspicious.

There is no justification for trade wars in this case as the two are, and should be, completely unconnected.  For China to threaten damage to farming and mining industries as a result of any country wanting to be better prepared for future waves of the pandemic is vindictive and possibly the actions of a guilty party.

Knowing what happened and being prepared for the second wave is the best way to protect already fragile economies both now and in the future.

You may well be right re swift gathering of evidence.

 

I just can't understand why Australia is going out on such a huge limb leading the charge, when its economic recovery from covid depends on China. IMO it's a futile exercise in self harm. Nor does it make diplomatic sense if you want to get things done in China.

 

In many cultures people dont like losing face. Try tooting your car horn in many Western countries even for safety's sake and when trying to be helpful and you will probably get the finger if not worse.

 

So when Trump says it's not my fault, it's China's, then Australia pipes up "Yeah let's have an independent inquiry [hint: because we dont trust China]", China loses face and picks its easier target - Australia.

Australia could simply have fallen in line behind the EU  and other countries that can afford to take on China, by quietly voting in favor of a UN resolution.

 

It's not cowardice, it's common sense and may actually achieve the desired objective...finding out how this virus happened.

39 minutes ago, dexterm said:

You may well be right re swift gathering of evidence.

 

I just can't understand why Australia is going out on such a huge limb leading the charge, when its economic recovery from covid depends on China. IMO it's a futile exercise in self harm. Nor does it make diplomatic sense if you want to get things done in China.

 

In many cultures people dont like losing face. Try tooting your car horn in many Western countries even for safety's sake and when trying to be helpful and you will probably get the finger if not worse.

 

So when Trump says it's not my fault, it's China's, then Australia pipes up "Yeah let's have an independent inquiry [hint: because we dont trust China]", China loses face and picks its easier target - Australia.

Australia could simply have fallen in line behind the EU  and other countries that can afford to take on China, by quietly voting in favor of a UN resolution.

 

It's not cowardice, it's common sense and may actually achieve the desired objective...finding out how this virus happened.

Thank you.  I fully understand your concerns but appeasing bullies never seems to work out for the best; ask Neville Chamberlain.  I know many Aussies and they all seem far too outspoken to accept falling in line.

The world is very angry about many things in terms of notification and timings and it would seem appropriate to find out the truth as soon as possible.

Aussie beef and wine are very good and I am sure they will find other markets that wish to deal with them on a fair basis.

It would be safe to assume that  every country would  appreciate learning the truth about this Covid-19 disaster. From every aspect !

It could also be safe to assume that the CCP to date has naturally reacted defensively to the clamorous accusations and demands primarily instigated by a counter regime seemingly more interested in the political distraction of that than the outcome of an independent inquiry.

Also rather ironic that the Australian Govt. is willing to lead the charge! The Australian public should be scratching their  heads in inexplicable wonder  given the political antics  involving Chinese interests in Australia involving exclusive water rights, massive  private port developments etc. By the end of  2017 Chinese  interests owned 2.5% of Australian  agricultural land. 14 million hectares !

A curious factor in the suspension of  beef  exports is that Kilcoy Global Foods is  Chinese owned and output  exclusively  for the Chinese market.

And in the background Iranian interests have been  buying up mothballed  abbatoirs in  Western Australia.

Accidental, natural,or deliberate ......Covid-19 has provided some stark revelations about the inadequacies of many Governments in their disregard for basic national human interests on many levels.

 

 

1 hour ago, animalmagic said:

Thank you.  I fully understand your concerns but appeasing bullies never seems to work out for the best; ask Neville Chamberlain.  I know many Aussies and they all seem far too outspoken to accept falling in line.

The world is very angry about many things in terms of notification and timings and it would seem appropriate to find out the truth as soon as possible.

Aussie beef and wine are very good and I am sure they will find other markets that wish to deal with them on a fair basis.

I quite agree with you re not appeasing bullies. But in this instance Australia is the one who provoked the bully. When there was a much smarter way of achieving one's objective.

 

I notice Australia is now begging China to reverse the tariffs it has imposed. (appeasement??).

 

The bankrupt barley farmers and vignerons will have plenty of time to read the report their PM has stuck his neck out for ... probably in about 18/24 months time! And they may have the company of unemployed miners by then too.

 

Don't get me wrong. I hate the Chinese record on human, animal and environmental rights, but Australia could have gone about this issue in a more diplomatic way.

2 hours ago, dexterm said:

I just can't understand why Australia is going out on such a huge limb leading the charge, when its economic recovery from covid depends on China. IMO it's a futile exercise in self harm. Nor does it make diplomatic sense if you want to get things done in China.

It's called defending your national sovereignty and independence. 

 

If you start kowtowing to soulless bullies just because they have an economic lever against you, then your subservience becomes locked in.

 

Standing up to this unpleasant regime is the only way for free people to proceed.

17 hours ago, dexterm said:

Why is Australia playing at being the USA's deputy sheriff by shooting itself in the foot? Why can't Trump lead this charge to deflect from his own incompetence? He loves trade wars with China.

Whatever the Aussie government may say about wanting to see independent transparency blah blah blah why this mad rush and high moral ground to attribute blame? Why can't a full inquiry wait until the world is on top of this pandemic and a vaccine discovered? 

 

So let's say a report lands on the Australian Prime Minister's desk 3 months, 6 months, 12 months' time after he has devastated Australia's farming and mining industries by provoking a trade war with China. What's he going to do with the report...use it as a door stop? 

 

I also would like to know the train of events that caused this pandemic, but top priority for now I would have thought is to stay safe and defeat the virus, and thus get the world economy up and running asap. Let the postmortems come later.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, RickBradford said:

It's called defending your national sovereignty and independence. 

 

If you start kowtowing to soulless bullies just because they have an economic lever against you, then your subservience becomes locked in.

 

Standing up to this unpleasant regime is the only way for free people to proceed.

OK, if these principles are so important to Australia and are not ones concocted in cahoots with Trump, why doesn't Australia go the whole hog and sanction all trade with the devil regime China? That'll defend Aussie national sovereignty and independence!

 

Looks like China has now agreed to follow the EU initiated resolution and submit to an investigation, which is what Australia should have waited to support (perhaps having made noises behind the scenes...that's what diplomacy is) before it went off so gung-ho shooting itself in the foot.

 

There's a smart way and a dumb way of achieving your goals without self harm.

Edited May 19, 20206 yr by dexterm

48 minutes ago, dexterm said:

There's a smart way and a dumb way of achieving your goals without self harm.

 

48 minutes ago, dexterm said:

why doesn't Australia go the whole hog and sanction all trade with the devil regime China? That'll defend Aussie national sovereignty and independence!

Because that would be the dumb way.

 

And there's no way to avoid harm in this situation. The harm has already been caused by China's distribution of this virus and constant lying about it.

 

Standing up to China carries an economic risk, certainly; not standing up to them carries a risk of permanent economic and political blackmail. The second option, in my estimation, carries a much bigger risk of long-term self-harm.

Australia needs to take a deep breath & put their guns away.

The NZ PM summed the situation up very well without direct confrontation

There can only be one winner & forget about beef & wine.

Iron ore, milk powder,bauxite, coal to name a few of the big ticket items.

The "do not buy China Brigade" have just not thought it through either.

The public are just not going to accept a 400% increase on what they need to buy.

In saying that I am not a great China advocate but I am a realist

20 minutes ago, natway09 said:

There can only be one winner & forget about beef & wine.

Iron ore, milk powder,bauxite, coal to name a few of the big ticket items.

Yes, but China doesn't buy those things for fun. They buy them because they need them, or want them.

 

And they buy them from Australia because of the quality, reliability and price. Sure, the Chinese can find other markets, but so can Australia when it comes to that.

 

It is a very bad look for China to be throwing its weight around internationally right now, given that it is China that has just burned down the world economy.

 

Countries are taking notice.

On 5/18/2020 at 8:22 PM, dexterm said:

Why is Australia playing at being the USA's deputy sheriff by shooting itself in the foot? Why can't Trump lead this charge to deflect from his own incompetence? He loves trade wars with China.

Whatever the Aussie government may say about wanting to see independent transparency blah blah blah why this mad rush and high moral ground to attribute blame? Why can't a full inquiry wait until the world is on top of this pandemic and a vaccine discovered? 

 

So let's say a report lands on the Australian Prime Minister's desk 3 months, 6 months, 12 months' time after he has devastated Australia's farming and mining industries by provoking a trade war with China. What's he going to do with the report...use it as a door stop? 

 

I also would like to know the train of events that caused this pandemic, but top priority for now I would have thought is to stay safe and defeat the virus, and thus get the world economy up and running asap. Let the postmortems come later.

 

 

 

Why are you concerned about who is challenging China? Australia has done well with Covid containment, while the USA is still in the thick of it. I read that there is a lot of resentment in Australia about what has happened, from the people, not just the government, and I am sure that many nations and their peoples will have the same concerns.

 

In general, investigations follow on after major incidents or accidents, like air disasters, for example. This is because any evidence is fresh and the people involved have good recall. There are no good reasons to delay an investigation into this epidemic. Knowing what happened, as well as finding how and why, is as much a priority now as anything else.

On 5/19/2020 at 12:40 AM, owl sees all said:

Just why is Australia bending the knee to the US. If trade with China hits difficulties then Oz will be the big loser.

 

Can't these people see that the US's days are numbered.

It's a bit crazy...really.

 

Our agricultural exports are down already due to the prolonged drought-and there has been little time for recovery from that-and now we are playing Don Quixote on a worn out nag whilst every one else has attack helicopters (so to speak).

 

But Australia has a bit of a history of doing this.Whilst we certainly punched well above our weight in two world wars we do at certain times experience delusions of grandeur on the world stage..usually with unfortunate results.

On 5/18/2020 at 6:11 PM, Mavideol said:

I only believe it when it's approved.... China is known for their last minute change of mind

So, as 1 PM news report,  it appears it has been approved, NOT the original draft because China didn't accept it, they had to revise everything, change the language to please China, thus the majority of them bend over to China requests and the so called "independent" investigation will be conducted by WHO, how independent is that? and it will be done once a cure has been found to stop the virus, meaning it will be done when China decides to, 2-3-4 or 5 years make your bets

Aus piped up and now is paying the price. Without chinas trade deals aus is in for a very hard time. Stupid stupid thing to do.

3 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Aus piped up and now is paying the price. Without chinas trade deals aus is in for a very hard time. Stupid stupid thing to do.

So was allowing the virus free travel out of China!

8 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Aus piped up and now is paying the price. Without chinas trade deals aus is in for a very hard time. Stupid stupid thing to do.

Yes indeed it was and is..

 

We will just have to see what comes of it.

On 5/19/2020 at 5:56 PM, RickBradford said:

Yes, but China doesn't buy those things for fun. They buy them because they need them, or want them.

 

And they buy them from Australia because of the quality, reliability and price. Sure, the Chinese can find other markets, but so can Australia when it comes to that.

 

It is a very bad look for China to be throwing its weight around internationally right now, given that it is China that has just burned down the world economy.

 

Countries are taking notice.

So you're going in as a neutral then?

You can tell who here got beat up in the school yard: the same people suggesting Australia pipe down because they're worried about economic reprisal from China.

 

Well done Australia for standing up for what you believe...

13 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Aus piped up and now is paying the price. Without chinas trade deals aus is in for a very hard time. Stupid stupid thing to do.

Yes I have to agree with that comment, more so because a few years back Australia decided to "hitch its wagon to trade with China" and it was very dependent upon China as a trading partner, and as for biting the hand that feeds you, well this has all the elements of that old adage.

 

An investigation was being promoted by many other countries and there was no real need for Australia to get involved, and I hope that New Zealand stays out of the argument, or if they don't, that they are just a passive participant in the investigation, because if they upset China, then that could damage the New Zealand economy quite severely.

 

Having said that, many decades ago when the UK decided to cut ties with Australia and New Zealand with regards to importing their products because they joined the common market, both of these countries went out and sought other markets and were successful in doing so........let's hope that everything settles down, and anyway China has agreed to an investigation, so perhaps the heat will be off now.

7 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Yes I have to agree with that comment, more so because a few years back Australia decided to "hitch its wagon to trade with China" and it was very dependent upon China as a trading partner, and as for biting the hand that feeds you, well this has all the elements of that old adage.

 

An investigation was being promoted by many other countries and there was no real need for Australia to get involved, and I hope that New Zealand stays out of the argument, or if they don't, that they are just a passive participant in the investigation, because if they upset China, then that could damage the New Zealand economy quite severely.

 

Having said that, many decades ago when the UK decided to cut ties with Australia and New Zealand with regards to importing their products because they joined the common market, both of these countries went out and sought other markets and were successful in doing so........let's hope that everything settles down, and anyway China has agreed to an investigation, so perhaps the heat will be off now.

China has agreed to an investigation after more pressure from around the world and only then once the pandemic is over. Could be years away. Not good enough. 

19 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Yes I have to agree with that comment, more so because a few years back Australia decided to "hitch its wagon to trade with China" and it was very dependent upon China as a trading partner, and as for biting the hand that feeds you, well this has all the elements of that old adage.

 

An investigation was being promoted by many other countries and there was no real need for Australia to get involved, and I hope that New Zealand stays out of the argument, or if they don't, that they are just a passive participant in the investigation, because if they upset China, then that could damage the New Zealand economy quite severely.

 

Having said that, many decades ago when the UK decided to cut ties with Australia and New Zealand with regards to importing their products because they joined the common market, both of these countries went out and sought other markets and were successful in doing so........let's hope that everything settles down, and anyway China has agreed to an investigation, so perhaps the heat will be off now.

Someone had to stick their neck out to garner support for what, in my opinion, is right. Australia did just that and it is to be commended. Now other countries feel empowered to follow suit. Being a leader isn't always easy....

I remember very well that Australia halted live cattle exports to Indonesia because of the animal cruelty to the animals once they got to Indonesia. Must've been 2010. I remember it well because I was in awe at the resolve. Australia compensated the cattle exporters by the way.

Sure we can bow down to China for the rest of our lives, but I'd rather stand up to bullies...always have, always will.