Amid renewed global discussion about the pandemic's beginnings, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun called on Washington to abandon politicized narratives surrounding COVID-19's origins during a Tuesday press briefing. The remarks come as international attention refocuses on unresolved questions about early pandemic timelines.
Guo criticized recent attempts to revive the unsubstantiated 'lab leak' theory as 'groundless accusations' rooted in political agendas rather than scientific inquiry. He emphasized China's active participation in collaborative global research, citing multiple World Health Organization-led investigations involving Chinese scientists.
'Virus tracing must remain a matter for experts, not politicians,' Guo stated, urging the U.S. to address its own unresolved pandemic-related questions. These include the unusual spike in vaping-associated pulmonary illnesses reported in 2019 and ongoing scrutiny surrounding activities at U.S. biological research facilities.
The spokesperson highlighted that over 30 peer-reviewed studies from multiple countries suggest COVID-19 may have circulated globally earlier than previously recognized. He pressed Washington to demonstrate transparency comparable to China's engagement with international researchers.
As countries mark five years since the pandemic's onset, Guo's comments underscore persistent geopolitical tensions surrounding pandemic accountability. The spokesperson emphasized that credible answers about COVID-19's emergence remain crucial for strengthening global health security frameworks.
