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Australia's call for an independent, international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus in Wuhan has sparked outrage from China's officials. Chen Wen, Minister and First Staff Member of Chinese Embassy, told BBC's World at One demands such as these are purely "politically motivated". She also said the requests would "divert" attention and resources from the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

On the inquiry demand, Ms Chen told Radio 4: "Well I cannot agree with that. "Of course, we will always want to know where the virus comes from. "It could happen anywhere at anytime in the world. "All the people want to know the origin of this virus." READ MORE: Hancock blasts conspiracy theories as Chinese campaign exposed

China deputy UK ambassador rejects demands for 'politically motivated' COVID-19 inquiry

She also accused the requests of "diverting" attention and resources.

She continued: "The independent inquiry is politically motivated. "One, we are fighting the virus at the moment. When we are concentrating our efforts on fighting against the virus, why are we talking about an investigation into this? "This will divert our attention and divert our resources, and this is clearly a politically motivated initiative. "I think no one can agree with this kind of politically motivated investigation, and it will serve nobody any good."

"The independent inquiry is politically motivated."

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