ZURICH (Reuters), – On Saturday, the head of the World Health Organization stated that he discussed with Li Keqiang the necessity for greater collaboration regarding the origins and use of COVID-19. This controversial topic has strained Beijing’s relationship with the West.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had previously called on China to provide more data and information about the virus’ origin.

Tedros posted, “I am pleased to have met Premier Li Keqiang.” Tedros tweeted, “We discussed COVID-19” and “The need for an aggressive effort in VaccinEquity (this year) to vaccinate 70% all population,” referring to WHO’s fair access campaign for vaccines.

He said, “We also discussed how stronger collaboration is needed on COVID-19 viruses origins. This was rooted in science evidence and evidence.”

In 2012, the WHO created the Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of Novel Pathogens. They also asked China to provide raw data for any further investigation. China declined, citing patient privacy rules.

China denies that COVID-19 virus leaked from Wuhan’s specialist lab at the beginning of 2019, as China continues to refute the allegations.

Last year, a joint WHO-China study ruled out COVID-19’s origin in a laboratory. Instead, it was found that COVID-19 infected people naturally via wildlife trade.

China released a classified U.S intelligence report last November claiming that it is plausible that the pandemic started in a laboratory. The intelligence report was not scientific and therefore had no credibility.