China has rejected the claim that Covid-19 originated from a laboratory leak, calling it “extremely unlikely.” This statement came in response to a recent report from the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which suggested the virus was more likely to have leaked from a lab than transmitted naturally from animals.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasized that the conclusion regarding the lab leak theory had been reached by a joint China-WHO expert team following field visits to Wuhan’s relevant laboratories. Mao further noted that this conclusion had been widely accepted by both the international and scientific communities.
In contrast, the CIA, under its new director, John Ratcliffe, issued a statement suggesting that the origins of the pandemic were “more likely” related to a lab incident than animal transmission. The CIA’s assessment was made with “low confidence” based on available reporting. The agency clarified that it had not previously made a determination regarding the origins of Covid-19.
Beijing reacted strongly to the CIA’s claim, urging the United States to stop politicizing the issue of Covid’s origins. Mao urged Washington to stop “smearing and shifting the blame” and to address the legitimate concerns of the international community.
The debate over the virus’s origins has gained significant attention recently, with various reports offering differing perspectives on whether the virus emerged through a natural spillover or a laboratory mishap. China’s stance on the issue remains firm, as it continues to resist international pressure for further investigations into the origins of Covid-19.
