China described the theory as 'politically motivated'.

"I would also like to stress the following points. First, origins study must be conducted on the basis of science and free from political interference. The lab leak theory is a false claim concocted by anti-China forces for political purposes. It has nothing to do with science," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told the media.

He further said: "More and more clues from the international science community are pointing the origins of SARS-CoV-2 to sources around the world. The WHO and SAGO should take a close look at these clues, effectively cooperate with these relevant countries, and share research findings with all parties in a timely way."

"According to its mandate, SAGO should focus more on emerging pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential in the future while conducting SARS-CoV-2 origins study. The recent outbreaks of hepatitis of unknown cause in children and monkeypox reported in the US, the UK, Canada and elsewhere have drawn much attention worldwide. The WHO and SAGO must take prompt action accordingly," he said.

The Chinese government spokesperson made the remark at a time when a team of international scientists tasked with understanding how the coronavirus pandemic began released their first report on Thursday, saying that all hypotheses remain on the table, including a possible laboratory incident.

The 27-member scientific advisory group convened by the World Health Organization said available data suggests the virus jumped from animals to humans but gaps in "key pieces of data" meant a complete understanding of the pandemic's origins could not be established, CNN reported.

The team, called the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), was constituted last year to recommend further areas of study needed to understand the origin of the pandemic and  emergence of future pathogens.