China plays down WHO concern about delay in COVID-19 team's trip

China played down on Wednesday (January 6) World Health Organization's (WHO) concern about a delay in authorization for a visit by a team of experts looking into the origins of the novel coronavirus, saying arrangements were being worked out.

The head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Tuesday (January 5) he was "very disappointed" that China had not authorized the entry of the team for the investigation, which he said was a WHO priority. A 10-strong team of international experts had been due to set off in early January as part of a long-awaited mission to investigate early cases of the disease.

Asked about reports that the dates had been agreed upon, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a regular news briefing that there had been a "misunderstanding", and the two sides were still in discussions over the timing and other arrangements and "remain in close communication".

The mission is due to be led by Peter Ben Embarek, the WHO's top expert on animal diseases that cross the species barrier, who went to China on a preliminary mission last July.