BEIJING (Reuters): A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry suggested on Thursday (March 12) that the US military might have brought the coronavirus to the Chinese city of Wuhan, which has been hardest hit by the outbreak, doubling down on a war of words with Washington.
China has taken great offence at comments by US officials accusing it of being slow to react to the virus, first detected in Wuhan late last year, and of not being sufficiently transparent.
"When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be the US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!" Zhao wrote. Asked about O'Brien's comments, Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing that such remarks by US officials would not help US epidemic efforts.
The coronavirus emerged in December in Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province, where around two-thirds of global cases so far have been recorded. But in recent weeks the vast majority of new cases have been outside China. "Unfortunately, rather than using best practices, this outbreak in Wuhan was covered up," Trump's national security advisor O'Brien said during a think-tank appearance on Wednesday.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Xi's Wuhan trip will boost fight against Covid-19, say overseas expertsBEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's inspection trip to Wuhan on Tuesday (March 10) has demonstrated his care for people's health and safety and assured the world of China's confidence in the final victory over the novel coronavirus, international experts and scholars have said.
Read more »
Wuhan told to go back to work as new cases subsideFirms key to 'global industrial chains' can resume work and production immediately. FMTNews Wuhan
Read more »
Xi visits Wuhan, signaling tide turning in China's coronavirus battleXi’s arrived on the same day that Wuhan shut the last of 14 temporary hospitals.
Read more »
China accuses US of 'provocation' after warship sails in disputed watersUSS McCampbell missile destroyer sailed near the Paracel Islands according to the People's Liberation Army. FMTNews USS
Read more »
US chicken flows to China as ports return, tariffs waivedImporting now easier as buyers can apply for 30-day waivers on duty. FMTNews USChicken Virus Poultry
Read more »
Trump says virus ‘will go away’ as Washington considers actions to bolster US economyUS president’s payroll tax proposal got ‘mixed reviews’ among Republican senators. FMTNews DonaldTrump
Read more »