WHO investigators have arrived in China for a COVID-19 origin probe. But they’re already downplaying expectations

There are two countries that have a lot riding on the long-awaited World Health Organisation (WHO) investigation into the coronavirus origins.

China, of course, but to a lesser extent Australia, too.

It was Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne who first called for an international investigation into the origins and response to COVID-19 back in May last year.

And while China later backed a watered-down European Union proposal for a joint WHO-China probe, it was Australia that copped a diplomatic backlash for months.

China has cited Payne’s suggestion as one of the factors in its trade bans and restrictions on Australian exports.

Australia will be watching the…