Australia continues clashes with China, prime minister seeks UN investigation into virus origin

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Morrison said an investigation into the roots of the virus would minimize the threat of another global pandemic.

This virus has caused disaster to our world and its peoples. We have to do everything we can to understand what happened for no other purpose but prevent it from happening again, ” said Morrison through a video teleconference link.

There's a clear mandate to identify the zoonotic source of COVID-19 virus and how it was transmitted to humans. ”

Morrison's comments came after similar comments by the prime minister early in the year irritated ties between Australia and China.

At the time, it led global demands for an investigation into the origin of COVID-19. China strongly opposed that move, with Beijing's ambassador to Canberra warning calls for the investigation could irritate trade ties.

China has since imposed trade sanctions on Australia. It suspended several beef imports with a technicality and effectively blocked a $49m trade, A (308.5m) barley, hitting the 80.5% tariff of Australian import. China has also launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian summer imports.

Meanwhile, Australia called on all states to share a COVID-19 vaccine in case it develops.

Australia earlier this year signed a vaccine agreement with AstraZeneca ASN.L, with the first herds scheduled to surrender in January 2021 if evidence proves successful.

Australia has said it will share supplies with the smallest nations on the Pacific island.