China is open and cooperative on COVID-19 origin tracing, and will continue to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) on this front, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday.

Li made the remarks at a virtual press conference after the conclusion of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing.

COVID-19 is a global public health contingency, Li said, adding that like other countries, China also hopes to get to the bottom of where the virus came from as early as possible.

He reiterated that virus origin tracing is a complex scientific matter, which calls for close cooperation among countries and continuous research.  

"The Chinese side has acted in a fact-based manner, and with an open, transparent and cooperative approach. China has maintained communication with the WHO and provided the WHO mission support during their work in China concerning the origin of the virus," he said.

He emphasized that as the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world, the pressing task now is to make better and more effective containment efforts like vaccine rollout.

"COVID-19 is a common enemy of humankind, and has affected so many members of the global community. We hope that all countries will join hands to achieve early victory over the virus," he noted.