A file picture taken on March 9, 2020 shows the sign of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

BEIJING - An international team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) will complete its 14-day quarantine Thursday, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing that the quarantine was in line with standard international practice. He said the expert team will conduct interviews and discussions while complying with China's pandemic prevention regulations. 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the expert team will conduct interviews and discussions while complying with China's pandemic prevention regulations 

"All activities should conform to scientific principles and serve the supreme goal of preventing future risks and protecting people's lives and health," said the spokesperson.

When asked to comment on a United States spokesperson's concern about the "fake information" on the origin of the novel coronavirus, Zhao said that any words and deeds with negative presumptions, or attempts to politicize the issue, were inappropriate.

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International scientific research and cooperation on origin-tracing aims to understand the virus, animal reservoirs, and transmission routes, so as to better prevent possible future risks and respond to similar public health crises, said Zhao.

"We hope that the United States can work with China, in a responsible manner, respect facts, science, and the hard work of the international expert team, so that they can carry out origin-tracing and scientific research without political interference," he added. 

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Zhao also expressed China's willingness to promote a global response to the pandemic with the international community, including the United States.

US President Joe Biden said in an executive order the federal government must recognize the actions of its political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin, have fuelled xenophobic sentiments against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He called on the federal government to condemn and combat racism and hate crimes against these people.

When asked to comment, Zhao said China's stance concerning the pandemic "is consistent and clear."

Calling the novel coronavirus the common enemy of mankind, Zhao said the WHO and the international community clearly oppose the practice of associating the virus with any specific country or region.

The tracing of the virus must be conducted in a prudent way, which must involve investigations and studies worldwide by scientists, Zhao said. "China is firmly opposed to the wrongdoing of tagging the virus and politicizing the pandemic."

The Chinese side hopes the United States can bring the spreading pandemic under control at an early date, Zhao said, adding China is ready to work with the international community, including the United States, to promote international cooperation on pandemic response.