BEIJING, Dec 31, 2024 (AFP): China reaffirmed on Tuesday that it had shared Covid-19 information "without holding anything back," following the World Health Organization's (WHO) renewed appeal for more data and access to uncover the disease's origins.

Covid-19, which was first detected in Wuhan five years ago, caused widespread devastation, claiming millions of lives, disrupting economies, and overwhelming health systems globally.

The WHO, in a statement issued Monday, emphasized that sharing more information was a "moral and scientific imperative." In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated, "Five years ago... China immediately shared epidemic information and viral gene sequences with the WHO and the international community."

She added, "Without holding anything back, we shared our prevention, control, and treatment experiences, making a significant contribution to the global fight against the pandemic."

The statement comes as the world marks five years since the first outbreak in Wuhan. However, throughout the pandemic, the WHO has frequently criticized China's lack of transparency and cooperation.

In early 2021, a joint investigation by WHO-led specialists and Chinese experts suggested that the virus likely originated in bats and was transmitted to humans via an intermediary animal, possibly at a market. Despite this, investigators have been unable to return to China for further research, and the WHO continues to push for additional data to fully understand the virus's origins.