China on Friday called the WHO's second stage plan to probe into the origins of Covid-19 as "a product of political manipulation".
On Thursday, China's National Health Commission rejected the WHO plan for a second phase of the investigation. Later, the US had expressed disappointment with the decision and termed it "dangerous".
Addressing a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, said, "One cannot help but think that this work plan is made to echo the 'lab leak theory' advocated by certain countries such as the United States.
And the lack of transparency in the drafting process also added to the suspicion that the work plan is the product of political manipulation." The spokesperson said that this work plan is