China Angrily Responds to US COVID Origin Investigation: "No Right to Represent International Community for Intimidation and Threats"

Investigation Needed on US Biological Experiment Facilities and Others

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Chinese government has voiced criticism regarding the United States' investigation into the origins of COVID-19. This is interpreted as a response to curb the U.S.'s actions amid rising responsibility claims against China.

On the 22nd, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing, "The United States has no right to intimidate or threaten China regarding the investigation into the origins of COVID-19," and emphasized, "It also has no right to attack China on behalf of the international community."

This was a response to Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson, announcing plans to collaborate with allies to investigate China concerning the origins of the coronavirus.

Spokesperson Zhao also insisted on a thorough investigation into the origins of COVID-19 in the U.S. He said China has already expressed its position multiple times and urged, "The United States should conduct three thorough investigations: the origin of COVID-19 in the U.S., the causes and responsibilities for the U.S.'s inadequate COVID-19 response, and issues related to Fort Detrick and over 200 overseas biological laboratories."

He added, "The international community should urge the United States to cooperate with this investigation and demand transparent data." The Fort Detrick laboratory, under the U.S. Army, was the center of the biological weapons program before 1969 and handled deadly diseases such as Ebola, but was closed in 2019 by order of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.