After the WHO chief on Tuesday expressed its disappointment in China over the delayed investigation to find the origin of coronavirus, Beijing on Wednesday acknowledged that there could be some “misunderstanding” with the World Health Organisation over granting timely permission to experts to visit the country. However, Beijing still did not mention when will it allow the experts’ team to come, reports PTI. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of WHO, in a media conference said, “Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team’s arrival in China.”

He added, “I’m very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute but had been in contact with senior Chinese officials.”

Tedros said he “made it clear” that mission is the UN health agency, adding, “We are eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a media briefing, downplaying the WHO chief’s remark, said, “There might be some misunderstand on this”.

The delay in the probe to trace the origins of coronavirus and China’s reply comes at a time when the pandemic has claimed over 1,870,800 people worldwide, over a year after the disease broke out in China’s Wuhan. 

“We can understand Dr Tedros and the WHO,” Hua said, adding that China and the WHO are “in discussions” to finalise the dates.

She added, “We hope the details can be determined as soon as possible. Hope the WHO can understand this. We always have smooth communication channels. There might be some misunderstanding about this. But there is no need to read too much into this. We have smooth communication and pleasant cooperation. I believe it will continue.”

Talking about the delay in granting visa to the experts, Hua said, “We have good cooperation with Dr Tedros. We can understand him, but if you like to visit other places, you need to talk in advance to the other side to discuss dates.”

Hua, referring to the resurfacing of the coronavirus, said Chinese experts and authorities are busy dealing with the deadly disease at home. 

“Still we attach importance to WHO’s visit to China and we have been in discussions. We hope through our discussions and efforts we can make decisions on their dates and arrangements as soon as possible,” Hua said.