China plans to investigate an allegation that 99 percent of the materials that make up illegal substances come from China, but remains doubtful about the World Anti-Doping Agency's statistics, a Chinese official said on Tuesday.

China's move came as a result of a striking comment from WADA Director-General David Howman, who told reporters during a WADA media symposium in London that "99 percent of the raw materials that are used through the Internet to make up (drugs) in your kitchen or your backyard laboratory are emanating from China".

Howman's remarks immediately drew great attention from the State General Administration of Sport, the government organization that runs sports in China and provides financial support for the country's anti-doping drive.