China refutes COVID-19 'lab leak theory' as a "plot by anti-China forces"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] There was a theory circulating online that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) began spreading from a virus laboratory located in Wuhan City. In response, a Chinese state-run media outlet directly published an article refuting this 'laboratory leak theory,' which has become a hot topic.

On the 18th, according to the Global Times, a Chinese state-run media outlet, the Wuhan Virus Laboratory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences stated regarding the COVID-19 laboratory leak theory that "those spreading fake news will be held legally responsible." In particular, it strongly denied some online rumors claiming that experimental animals were sold to the Wuhan Huanan Seafood Market, which is presumed to be the origin of COVID-19, saying these claims are completely false.

Earlier, on the 16th, a Weibo account named 'weiketiezhi' exposed a testimony from a researcher claiming that experimental animals were sold from the Wuhan Virus Laboratory to the Wuhan Huanan Seafood Market, causing the COVID-19 virus to spread, and that this researcher had sued the director. However, the researcher named Chen Qiannao, who was mentioned as the source of the testimony, refuted the claims as fake news in a statement posted on Weibo the following day, the 17th. Chen Qiannao pointed out, "Recent rumors related to the laboratory are interfering with researchers' work," and added, "We remain vigilant against conspiracy theories and destructive acts."

The Jiangsu Provincial Public Security authorities stated that the 'weiketiezhi' account, which initially spread the rumor, appears to have accessed Weibo using an overseas IP address before posting the related content. They also added that this account is a member of 'Pinkong,' an anti-government website based in the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.