China’s COVID-19 Data Ranks First Globally with Over 760 Million Cases

At a routine press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China is the country that shares the most COVID-19 data and research results with the international community. Mao pointed out that China has not only organized experts to share traceable progress with the World Health Organization (WHO) multiple times but is also the only country to do so. Previously, the WHO had repeatedly called on China to provide more information and access.

According to WHO data, there have been over 760 million COVID-19 cases and 6.9 million deaths globally. In mid-2023, the WHO declared the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency but emphasized that the disease should always serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences that new viruses may bring. Five years ago, the central region of China first reported cases of COVID-19.

At the beginning of 2023, Chinese scientists uploaded early data from the pandemic to an international database. A few months ago, China lifted all restrictions on COVID-19 and reopened its borders to other countries. Additionally, a group of international researchers found DNA from various animal species, including raccoons, in environmental samples that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, suggesting they might be the "most likely conduit" for the disease's transmission.

In 2021, a WHO-led expert group conducted a weeks-long investigation in Wuhan and its surrounding areas, suggesting that the virus might have been transmitted to humans from bats through another animal but emphasized the need for further research. China has stated that the search for early cases should be conducted in other countries, with no further visits needed.

In terms of COVID-19 origin data, China has shared the most data and research results, contributing significantly to global origin tracing research. International experts from the WHO stated during their visit to China that they visited all the places they wanted and met everyone they wished to see.