White House press secretary Jen Psaki recently acknowledged that Biden did not ask Xi for help last month and said that he had during a virtual meeting with him. She went on to say that Biden’s message was very clear in determining the origins of COVID-19.
Doocy asked if Biden’s message was clear to someone who has a Zoom Meeting with the president that he meant. Psaki responded that America’s national security officials had communicated “very clearly” and that it is no secret that America is investigating the origins.
Doocy asked if Xi had “helped” and “been open.” Psaki replied that the Biden administration would be grateful for support from Xi, China, in finding the origins of COVID-19. However, she did not have any “updates on the participation of the Chinese or their willingness to add and provide additional information.”
Xi referred last month to Biden as an “old friend” before the virtual summit meeting, which didn’t produce any significant breakthroughs. Contrary to Xi’s comments, Psaki stated after the meeting that Biden considers him someone he “has known for some time” as well as someone he “can have candid relationships with.”
The World Health Organization announced 26 members for an advisory committee that would steer research into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other potential pathogens of epidemic risk.
