China blasts Australia for 'playing political games'

China has released a strongly-worded statement accusing Australia of playing "political games" following its calls for an independent investigation into the cause of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Morrison government has been pushing global allies for a review into the pandemic and China's handling of it.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne called for the inquiry last week, saying her concern was at a "high point" regarding transparency over the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Now, China has hit back through its Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, who in a statement said: "The so-called independent review proposed by the Australian side is political manoeuvring in essence".

"At such a critical juncture, it is highly irresponsible to resort to politically motivated suspicion and accusation," the statement said.

"We advise the Australian side to put aside ideological bias and political games, focus on the welfare of the Australian people and global public health security, follow the international community's collective will for cooperation, and contribute to the global cooperation in fighting the virus, instead of doing things to the contrary."

Labor has backed Australia's calls for the review, which Ms Payne said should be conducted outside of the World Health Organisation.

COVID-19 has so far infected 2.87 million people around the world and caused 202,000 deaths.

Experts believe the virus originated at a wet market where animals are traded in Wuhan, China.