Beijing may reluctantly decide to support an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 because it knows another pandemic will cause “catastrophic” damage for its global standing in the world, according to The Australian's Troy Bramston.

Over 100 nations have endorsed an EU motion that calls for a systemic review into the causes and handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

The motion, which is expected to pass the World Health Assembly this week, does not mention China specifically but does urge the international to identify the “zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population, including the possible role of intermediate hosts, including through efforts such as scientific and collaborative field missions.”

Mr Bramston said “wiser heads” in Beijing are beginning to prevail.