‘The World Health Organization said there is no evidence that it was manufactured in a laboratory.’
Hong Kong – China on Thursday denied suspicions reportedly
raised by US intelligence sources that the coronavirus might have
originated in a medical laboratory rather than a food market in the
city of Wuhan.
Though more research was needed to clarify the origin of the virus,
there was no evidence to suggest it was man-made, or that it
originated in a laboratory, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
Zhao Lijian.
“The World Health Organization said there is no evidence that it was
manufactured in a laboratory,” the spokesman said. “Many renowned
medical experts have also confirmed that the allegation that the
virus leaked from a laboratory has no scientific basis.”
The Chinese repudiation came a day after US President Donald Trump
was asked during a press briefing to comment on media reports that
US intelligence was investigating whether the coronavirus came from a
Chinese laboratory.
“I don’t want to say that,” Trump said. “But I will tell you that we
hear this story more and more.”
The president added that his administration was investigating very
closely what had happened.
Immediately after the press briefing, US Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo told Fox News that China had failed to provide answers in this
regard.
The US broadcaster has been repeating this theory based on testimony
from unnamed sources. Experts believe the virus originated in an
animal market in Wuhan, where the first infections also occurred.
dpa
