Pompeo Provokes China by Visiting Taiwan Instead of Presenting 'Massive Evidence'

Lowering the Tone of COVID-19 Virus Wuhan Lab Origin Remarks
China Attacks Over Taiwan's Attendance at WHO Assembly

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stepped back from the claim that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Instead, he provoked China by bringing up the Taiwan issue, which China reacts to most sensitively.

On the 6th (local time), Secretary Pompeo said in a briefing, "We do not have certainty. And there is significant evidence that the coronavirus came from the Wuhan lab." This statement is milder compared to his remark on the 3rd, when he said "there is huge evidence."

A day earlier, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley stated, "We still do not know if the coronavirus came from the Wuhan lab," presenting a position that contrasts with Secretary Pompeo's remarks.

Although Secretary Pompeo stepped back from the "huge evidence" claim, he continued to criticize China. He said, "We do not have certainty whether it (COVID-19) started from the lab or somewhere else. There is an easy way to find the answer: transparency and openness," pointing out China's secrecy.

When asked by reporters about the difference between his remarks and those of Chairman Milley the previous day, Secretary Pompeo replied, "All statements from U.S. administration officials regarding the origin of the coronavirus are completely consistent. They are all factual."

Secretary Pompeo also engaged in a heated exchange with reporters who kept questioning his statements. He told a BBC reporter, "You are wasting your life trying to sow discord among senior U.S. officials," which drew backlash from the journalists.

Secretary Pompeo also mentioned the Taiwan issue, which is China's Achilles' heel. He demanded that Taiwan be invited to the World Health Assembly (WHA) held by the World Health Organization (WHO) this month. Since he urged all countries, including those in Europe, to support this, China's opposition is expected.

Regarding the U.S. absence from a fundraising event co-hosted by European Union (EU) countries on the 4th, Secretary Pompeo expressed his opinion that it was due to China, saying, "China was there. The party responsible for this (COVID-19) was there," implying the U.S. did not participate because of China.

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