China urges US not to politicize COVID-19 origin tracing

This combo photo shows Yang Jiechi (left), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (PHOTO / XINHUA / AFP)

BEIJING – China urged the United States to respect facts and science, refrain from politicizing COVID-19 origin tracing and concentrate on international anti-pandemic cooperation, senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi said on Friday.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the latter's request. 

During the phone talks, Yang urged Washington to work with Beijing to move bilateral ties back on the right track

During the phone talks, Yang urged Washington to work with Beijing to move bilateral ties back on the right track.

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He also called on the US side to fix the serious human rights violations on its own territory, instead of willfully interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of so-called human rights.

The diplomat urged the United States to adhere to the one-China principle, and take concrete actions to maintain the overall situation of China-US ties as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Yang also urged the United States to keep to its promise and cherish its credibility, and handle issues related to Taiwan in a prudent and proper manner.