China hits back at claims

was man-made in China by an evil group because China was a Godless communist nation.

“Firstly, all available evidence shows that the virus is natural in origin, not man-made,” the spokesperson said.

“On 19 February, The Lancet published a joint statement by 27 leading medical experts from eight countries, indicating that scientists from multiple countries have published and analyzed genomes of SARS-CoV-2, and they overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife, as have so many other emerging pathogens.” “WHO Representative in China Dr Gauden Galea said on 5 May that all available evidence to date suggests that the virus has a natural animal origin and is not a manipulated or constructed virus.”

The spokesperson said while it was reported in Wuhan first, there was no proof that it originated there.

“In June, research led by the University of Barcelona showed the presence of the virus in samples of sewage water in Barcelona

in March 2019, and infections were present before knowing of any case of COVID-19 in any part of the world.

“Italian scientists have also discovered traces of the virus in sewage water collected from Milan and Turin in December, suggesting that the virus which causes COVID-19 was already in the country even before China had reported its first cases,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said China supported multilateralism.

“We have all along been in good communication and cooperation with WHO. But we have never attempted to manipulate the organisation,” the spokesperson said.

“By telling lies and spreading disinformation, certain politicians aim to frame China and the WHO for their own political agenda. We need to keep cool heads and clearly say ‘no’ to racism and xenophobia.

“The most important thing we can learn from this pandemic is that only by standing together can we defeat the virus, an enemy to all mankind.” shalveen.chand@ fijisun.com.fj