Chinese Media: "US, Provide Evidence for COVID-19 Wuhan Lab Origin Theory... China Responds Transparently"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Chinese media strongly opposed the U.S. claim that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Chinese media criticized Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, by name, stating that he repeatedly asserts the China origin theory without any evidence.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th, Global Times, a sister publication of the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper People's Daily, refuted Pompeo's claims through an editorial. Global Times stated, "Secretary Pompeo repeats the China origin theory of COVID-19 without presenting any evidence," adding, "Pompeo claims to have evidence but has never once shown it." It further mentioned, "(Pompeo) himself knows best that he is lying."

In an interview with ABC News the previous day, Secretary Pompeo said, "There is significant evidence that COVID-19 came from the virus laboratory in Wuhan," and added, "The world was exposed to the virus due to the failure of the Chinese laboratory." U.S. President Donald Trump also stated during a Fox News town hall meeting held at the Lincoln Memorial, "Whether by mistake or intentionally, China bears great responsibility for the COVID-19 situation," and mentioned, "We could impose tariffs worth $1 trillion to receive compensation from China."

Global Times demanded evidence regarding these U.S. claims about China and also argued that such accusations are a kind of tactic for the U.S. presidential election. The newspaper pointed out, "Some U.S. politicians have raised the issue of the origin of COVID-19 to attract public attention as the U.S. election approaches," and "They are trying to overturn their unfavorable situation through this."

People's Daily also rebutted through a commentary, stating, "The U.S. pushing the China responsibility theory related to COVID-19 is a Cold War-era fossil argument." They claimed, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has acted openly, transparently, and responsibly," and "China's epidemic prevention efforts have received universal praise from the international community."

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