Medical workers work at a nucleic acid testing site in Shoupakou South Street of Xicheng District, Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

BEIJING, July 9 -- China continues supporting scientists around the world in conducting global scientific research on the source and route of transmission of the coronavirus, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Thursday.

Zhao made the remarks at a press conference following reports that an Oxford University expert believes that coronavirus may have lain dormant across the world and emerged when the environmental conditions were right for it to thrive rather than starting in China.

The report once again vindicates the fact that tracing the origin of the virus is a complex scientific issue, and it is up to scientists around the world to conduct international scientific research and cooperation, Zhao said.

According to Zhao, WHO officials have said virus tracing is an ongoing process that may involve multiple countries and localities, and as this process proceeds, we should be open to the many possibilities for where the virus may come from.

China continues supporting scientists around the world in conducting global scientific research on the source and route of transmission of the virus and supports WHO-led cooperation among member states on the zoonotic source of COVID-19 and in other fields.