"COVID-19 Lab Leak in China" US Report... China Protests "Don't Tarnish"

FBI Also Supports 'Lab Leak Theory' of COVID Origin in China

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted strongly against the U.S. Department of Energy's report suggesting that the origin of COVID-19 is a research laboratory within China, stating that "the smearing of China and the politicization of the investigation into the origin of COVID-19 must stop."

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to questions regarding the Department of Energy's report during a regular briefing on the 27th, saying, "The investigation into the origin of COVID-19 is a scientific issue and should not be politicized."

Spokesperson Mao stated, "'A laboratory leak is extremely unlikely' is an authoritative scientific conclusion reached based on joint on-site investigations by Chinese and World Health Organization (WHO) experts at the relevant laboratory in Wuhan, including in-depth communication with the research personnel involved," adding, "(This conclusion) has received broad recognition from the international community and the scientific world."

This is a rebuttal to the U.S. Department of Energy's classified intelligence report. The contents of the report were revealed through a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article the previous day. The report, submitted to key figures in the White House and Congress, supports the hypothesis that COVID-19 leaked from a research laboratory in China.

The U.S. Department of Energy had previously maintained a position that the origin of COVID-19 was unclear. However, in this report, it shifted its stance, suggesting that the COVID-19 virus likely leaked from a laboratory. The basis for this judgment has not been disclosed.

Earlier, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also concluded that the origin of the COVID-19 virus was a research laboratory in China. However, it is known that the Department of Energy and the FBI have different grounds for identifying the laboratory as the origin of the virus.

Mao Ning, Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Photo by Yonhap News

The WSJ reports that the conclusions of this report will have a significant impact on the analysis of COVID-19's origin. The U.S. Department of Energy, which oversees various national research institutes in fields such as biology, is recognized for its considerable authority in scientific analysis.

However, the WSJ pointed out that the claim that the COVID-19 virus leaked from a laboratory in China should be distinguished from allegations that the Chinese government created the virus for biological weapons development. During the early spread of COVID-19, various conspiracy theories circulated online, including claims that the Chinese government was developing biological weapons and that the virus cultured at the Wuhan laboratory was accidentally leaked.

Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the White House, stated regarding the WSJ report, "There is no final answer (about the origin of COVID-19)." In an interview with CNN on the same day, Sullivan said, "The intelligence community has diverse views. Some have concluded one way, others another," adding, "At this point, there is no final answer from the intelligence community."

He continued, "What I can say is that the President has repeatedly directed all our intelligence agencies to devote effort and resources to uncovering the truth on this matter." He added, "As we gain more insights and information, we will share it with Congress and the public."