Chinese Scientific Community Criticizes "COVID-19 Origin Investigation Should Be Conducted by Scientists, Not Intelligence Agencies"

US and UK Intelligence Agencies Dismiss 'Wuhan Origin Theory' as Baseless
"WHO Investigation Team Should Also Be Sent to the US" in Counterattack

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In the Chinese scientific community, there has been a direct criticism regarding the theory that COVID-19 originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has been raised by intelligence agencies from Western countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. They argue that it is the scientists, not intelligence agencies, who should investigate this matter. Instead, they claim that research facilities in the United States are more suspicious as the source of the leak, and it is reported that they are demanding the World Health Organization (WHO) investigation team be sent to the U.S. for inquiry.

According to the Chinese state-run Global Times on the 1st, criticism against the U.S. government-led theory of COVID-19 originating from the Wuhan Institute of Virology is pouring in, mainly from Chinese scientists. Zheng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out, "It is absurd to leave what scientists should do to intelligence agencies."

He continued, "Determining whether a laboratory leak occurred is much easier than tracing human-animal infections. If there had been a lab leak, there would inevitably be evidence such as infected staff or contaminated environments," emphasizing, "WHO experts have already visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology and reviewed all hypotheses, but no evidence was found, and I believe the matter ended there."

Chinese scientists are reportedly preparing to send a letter rebutting the letter from 18 scientists from Western countries including the U.S., which was sent to the American journal Science urging further investigation into COVID-19, according to the Global Times.

On the contrary, the Chinese government and scientists are reportedly claiming that the U.S. is more suspicious and that WHO experts should be sent to the U.S. to investigate the virus's origin. Earlier, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed out, "In July 2019, an unknown respiratory disease appeared in northern Virginia, and a large-scale outbreak of e-cigarette-related illnesses occurred in Wisconsin," and demanded, "The U.S. should disclose the Army's Fort Detrick base and laboratories around the world."

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