Australia called 'gum stuck to China's shoe' by state media in coronavirus investigation stoush

Hu Xijin, editor of Global Times, responds to calls for inquiry into source of Covid-19

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Australia has been described as "gum stuck to the bottom of China's shoe," by a Chinese state media editor as Beijing criticised calls for an inquiry into the coronavirus origin as "political manoeuvring," further straining ties.

Australia has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Beijing as it calls for an investigation into the origins and spread of the virus, which emerged in China late last year and has now killed more than 200,000 people around the world.