China Denies CIA Claim Regarding Covid-19 Lab Leak
China has dismissed the recent claim made by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) suggesting that Covid-19 may have originated from a laboratory. In response to the CIA’s statement, China stated on Monday that it was “extremely unlikely” that the virus came from a lab, emphasizing that the conclusion was based on field visits to relevant laboratories in Wuhan by the China-WHO joint expert team.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated that the international and scientific communities widely recognize this conclusion. The CIA’s assertion that the virus was “more likely” leaked from a Chinese lab rather than transmitted by animals came after John Ratcliffe assumed the position of CIA director under Donald Trump’s administration.
The CIA spokesperson mentioned that the agency assesses with low confidence that a research-related origin of the pandemic is more likely than a natural one, based on available reporting. This assessment marks a shift from the agency’s previous stance of not making any definitive determination regarding the virus’s origin.
Beijing has called on the United States to refrain from politicizing and instrumentalizing the issue of origin-tracing. Mao urged Washington to address the concerns of the international community promptly, instead of resorting to blame-shifting and smearing tactics towards other countries.
As the debate on the origins of Covid-19 continues, it is crucial for both China and the United States to engage in constructive dialogue and transparent communication to ensure a better understanding of the situation. The focus should remain on collaborating with the global community to prevent future pandemics and promote public health worldwide.