The epidemic is raging and people’s lives are at stake. The virus is the common enemy of mankind, and the whole world should join hands to meet the challenge of the epidemic. However, some politicians and media in the West, represented by the United States, did not focus on fighting the epidemic, but tried their best to "throw the pot" at China and fabricated all kinds of incredible lies. For a time, lies, rumors and conspiracy theories were rampant. Let’s take a look at the 18 most common rumors and facts about China in the COVID-19 epidemic.
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting different parts of the world, the virus has become the common enemy of mankind. The world should stand in solidarity to combat the pandemic. However, some Western politicians and media, especially those from the United States, came up with groundless lies. Disinformation, rumors and conspiracy theories about China were making a great clamor. Here are the 18 most common allegations against China and the corresponding facts.
Proverb 1: "China is the source of the virus, and Covid-19 is ‘ China virus ’ "
Truth: The source of Covid-19 has not yet been determined, and the name of the virus must not be associated with a specific country.
Allegation No.1: China is the origin of COVID-19. It is the “Chinese virus.”
Fact: The origin of COVID-19 remains uncertain. The name of a virus should not be associated with specific countries or regions.
Where did Covid-19 come from? This is a serious scientific question that should be answered by scientists rather than politicians. In history, the original cases were often reported in places other than the source of the virus. The medical journal International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents reported that Covid-19 had spread in France at the end of December 2019, and the case was not related to China. WHO pointed out that "researchers from various countries are trying to find the source of Covid-19", so it is still inconclusive where Covid-19 first appeared, and there are many possibilities.
The origin of COVID-19 is a scientific issue which should be determined by scientists instead of politicians. Where the disease was first reported in h istory was often not the place it originated. The article in the medical journal International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents says that COVID-19 was already spreading in France in late December 2019, and the case is not related to China. WHO points out that scientists are still researching the origin of the virus. It remains unclear where COVID-19 first appeared.
Regarding the naming of viruses, as early as 2015, WHO issued suggestions on naming human infectious diseases and pathogens, pointing out that place names, country names and people, animal names and concepts that may cause panic should be avoided. In February this year, WHO announced that the new coronary pneumonia was officially named "2019 coronavirus disease" (COVID— 19）。 Many mainstream western media reported that Asian Americans faced serious xenophobia and were harassed and attacked by racial discrimination because of improper association between Asian groups and Covid-19. The British journal Nature published three editorials in April, apologizing for wrongly associating the new coronavirus with Wuhan and China, and calling for an immediate stop to stigmatize Covid-19, so as to avoid irresponsible behavior of associating the virus with a specific location.
As for naming new human diseases and viruses, WHO guidelines advise against including geographic locations and cultural/population references in the disease name. In February 2020, WHO announced the official names of the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes – SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. According to some Western media reports, anti-Asian racism is on the rise due to the improper correlation between the virus and the Asians in the US. British journal Nature published three edi torials in April, apologizing for falsely relating the virus to China and Wuhan. The magazine stands against COVID-19 stigmatization and irresponsible actions that associate viruses with specific locations.
Proverbs 2: "Covid-19 is manufactured by Wuhan Institute of Virology".
Truth: All available evidence shows that Covid-19 originated from nature rather than man-made.
Allegation No.2: COVID-19 is man-made at the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab.
Fact: All scientific evidence indicates that the COVID-19 originates in nature rather than man-made.
The "artificial theory of virus" has been refuted by international authoritative organizations and most scholars in virology and immunology. Authoritative academic journals, such as The Lancet and Nature Medicine, have successively published articles stressing that the virus originated from nature. On May 1st, Michael Ryan, head of WHO’s health emergency project, said that many scientists had studied the gene sequence of COVID-19 virus and were convinced that COVID-19 virus came from nature. Jean-Fran? ois Delfraissy, a French immunologist and head of the COVID-19 Epidemic Science Committee, said that Covid-19’s hypothesis from the laboratory was "a conspiracy theory view that does not belong to the real scientific category".
The idea that the SARS-CoV-2 is man-made has been criticized by international agencies and scholars specialized in virology and immunology. Science jou rnals, such as The Lancet and Nature Medicine, published articles proving SARS-CoV-2 is natural in origin. On May 1, Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, said they have listened to numerous scientists who’ve looked at the sequences and they were assured that this virus is natural in origin. The hypothesi s that the virus was created in a Wuhan lab is “a conspiracy vision that does not relate to the real science,” said Jean-Francois Delfraissy, a French immunologist and head of the scientific council that advises the government on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even the American scientific community and intelligence agencies are opposed to the "virus artificial theory." Collins, president of the National Institutes of Health, published a blog post, pointing out that the virus is naturally produced, not created by humans, and not the product of laboratory operation. On April 30th, the official website of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a statement saying that the US intelligence community agreed with the broad consensus of the scientific community that Covid-19 was not man-made and had not been genetically modified.
Even US scientists and intelligence agencies stand against the “man-made virus theory”. Dr Francis Collins, director of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), said in a blog post that the SARS-CoV-2 originates from nature – it is not “a product of purposeful manipulation in a lab.” On April 30, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said that US intelligence agencies were in the broad scientific consensus, saying that the SARS-CoV-2 was not man-made or genetically modified.
Proverbs 3: "Covid-19 was leaked by the Wuhan Institute of Virology."
Truth: There is no evidence that there has been an accident of pathogen leakage or personnel infection in Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Allegation No.3: SARS-CoV-2 was accidentally leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Fact: There is no evidence of pathogen leaks or staff infectionsin the Institute.
P4 Laboratory of Wuhan Institute of Virology is a Sino-French government cooperation project with strict protective facilities and measures. Before receiving the first batch of test samples from COVID-19 patients on December 30, 2019, there was no evidence that Covid-19 existed in the laboratory of Wuhan Institute of Virology. Up to now, no one in the institute has been infected with COVID-19.
The P4 laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is a collaborative project with the French government. The lab is equipped with strict protective facilities and measures to ensure safety. There had been no SARS-CoV-2 in the lab until December 30, 2019 ,when the first COVID-19 patient specimens were delivered there. Up to now, no one in the WIV has become ill with COVID-19.
In an interview, Dr. Peter Daszak, chairman of the American Ecological Health Alliance, who has cooperated with Wuhan Institute of Virology for 15 years, said that the statement that Covid-19 escaped from the laboratory was sheer nonsense. There is no virus culture related to Covid-19 in the laboratory of Wuhan Institute of Virology, so the so-called laboratory leakage is impossible. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also said that the available evidence showed that Covid-19 was not from China’s laboratory.
Dr Peter Daszak, the president of the EcoHealth Alliance, who has been working with the Wuhan Institute of Virology for 15 years, said in an interview that the idea that SARS-CoV-2 escaped from the lab was pure nonsense. The Wuhan P4 Laboratory didn’ t have the virus that led to COVID-19, and what has been found now are close relatives, not the same virus. So it’ s not a possibility that the virus could have come from that lab. Anthony Fauci, the US NIAID director, also said that the best evidence shows the virus was not made in a lab in China.
Rumor 4: "Chinese deliberately went abroad to spread the virus to the world."
Truth: China took the strictest prevention and control measures in the shortest time, and few cases were exported.
Allegation No.4: Chinese are going abroad to spread the virus to the rest of the world on purpose.
Fact: The Chinese government adopted the most strict prevention and control measures in a short time. Very few cases are exported abroad.
After the outbreak, the China Municipal Government took the most comprehensive, strict and thorough prevention and control measures in time, effectively cutting off the virus transmission chain. On January 23rd, China temporarily closed the passage from Han. From January 24th, China national travel agencies and online travel enterprises were required to suspend the operation of group travel and "air ticket+hotel" tourism products. From January 24th to April 8th, there were no commercial flights or trains leaving Wuhan. It is impossible for Wuhan residents to go overseas during this period.
Once the outbreak occurred, the Chinese government took the most comprehensive, strict, and thorough prevention and control measures in modern history, which effectively cut off virus transmission channels. On January 23, China temporarily put Wuhan under lockdown. Since January 24, travel agencies and online travel companies in China were required to suspend operating most travel services and products. From January 24 to April 8, there were no outbound commercial flights or train services. Wuhan residents couldn’ t travel overseas during this period as well.
Globally, statistics show that there are few cases exported from China. Statistics of epidemic situation in several major provinces in Canada show that the virus was introduced into Canada by American travelers. None of the Russian imported cases came from China. According to data from the Australian Ministry of Health, the proportion of imported cases from Northeast Asia is extremely small. The number of cases imported from China is less than 1/10 of that imported from other countries.
Statistics show that very few cases are exported from China. Data in several major Canadian provinces show that the COVID-19 was brought into Canada by American travelers. None of the Russian cases were imported from China. Data from Australian Department of Health shows that the proportion of importe d cases from Northeast Asia was extremely small. In Singapore, cases imported from China were less than one-tenth of those from other countries.
Proverb 5: "China’s early concealment of the epidemic led to the spread of the epidemic in the world."
Truth: China released information for the first time in an open, transparent and responsible manner.
Allegation No.5: China’ s initial cover-up led to the spread of the virus globally.
Fact: China lost no time in announcing related COVID-19 information in an open, transparent and responsible manner.
On December 27, 2019, Dr. Zhang Jixian, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Hubei Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, reported the situation of 3 patients with unexplained pneumonia. This is the first time that local authorities in China have reported suspicious cases.
On December 27, 2019, Dr Zhang Jixian, director of the respiratory and critical care medicine department of Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, reported three cases of pneumonia of unknown cause immediately after receiving the patients. This is the first reporting of suspected cases received by local authorities in China.
Three days after the epidemiological investigation, on December 31, 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health and Health Commission issued the Bulletin on the Current Pneumonia Epidemic Situation in Our City. On the same day, China informed the WHO representative office in China of the case information of unexplained pneumonia in Wuhan. Dr. Tan Desai, Director-General of WHO, and Swaminasan, Chief Scientist, highly appreciated the rapid discovery of Covid-19 by doctors and health departments in China during the flu season.
Three days after the epidemiological investigation, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission released a situation report on pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan. On the same day, China informed the WHO China Country Office of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan. The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye sus and Dr Soumya Swaminathan wrote in a paper on the Lancet, praising Chinese doctors and health departments for their rapid discovery of the new coronavirus during the flu season.
It should be pointed out that Covid-19 is a newly discovered virus. At the initial stage of the epidemic, there was almost no scientific evidence to prove that this new virus might lead to a dangerous pandemic. As Academician Zhong Nanshan said in an interview on January 20, "The disease sometimes has a process of cognition, and now the detection can be detected relatively quickly; In the process of judging, experts used to be strictly appraised by the state department, but now they can be determined if they are positive twice. There is a process in the early stage of emerging diseases. "
SARS-CoV-2 is a newly discovered virus. In the early stage of the outbreak, there was little evidence proving that it could cause a pandemic. “It takes time to recognize a new disease. During the research process, only after strict authentication of government agencies, can experts be sure of the testing results. Now after recognizing the virus, the testing process is simplified. If the patient is tested positive twice, the case is confirmed,” China’s top respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan said in an interview on January 20.
On January 3, 2020, China began to regularly inform WHO, relevant countries including the United States and China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan about the epidemic situation. China responded to and reported the epidemic in an open, transparent, timely and responsible manner from beginning to end. WHO praised "the speed and scale of China’s actions are rare in the world".
On January 3, 2020, China began sending regular, timely updates about the novel coronavirus to WHO, other countries including the United States, and China’ s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. China has responded and notified the world about the epidemic in an open, transparent, timely, and responsible manner. WHO said that “the high speed and massive scale of China’s moves are rarely seen in the world.”
Proverb 6: "China has seriously violated human rights in response to the epidemic."
Truth: China defended the "most critical human rights" in the face of the epidemic — — Human life
Allegation No.6: China seriously violated human rights in its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact: China has put human lives at priority, which is the top “human right.”
The right to life is the most basic human right, which is recognized and guaranteed by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights conventions. Eduardo klinger, an academician of the Dominican Republic Academy of Sciences, said: "The China government has taken resolute and responsible measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic. Someone shouted that this was ‘ Violation of human rights ’ It is purely nonsense. "
The right to life is the most fundamental human right, confirmed and guaranteed by the UN’ s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Bill of Human Rights. Eduardo Klinger, academician of the Dominican Republic Academy of Sciences, noted that the Chinese government adopted measures that are decisive and responsible for the people around the world to curb the spread of the virus, and the theory of the so-called human right violations is total nonsense.
Luo Siyi, the former director of the London Economic and Commercial Policy Department, wrote that China defended the "most critical human rights" in the face of the epidemic — — Human life. According to the research report of Science magazine, strict prevention and control measures in China have reduced the number of infected people in China by more than 700,000. At home, China government strictly controls and treats patients regardless of the cost. Internationally, China has taken practical actions to carry out anti-epidemic cooperation and provide assistance. China’s contribution to the international human rights cause is obvious to all.
John Ross, former director of Economic and Business Policy for the Mayor of London, said that China has defended “the key human right” in the lethal epidemic – helping people stay alive. The findings published in the journal Science suggest that China’s control measures during the epidemic may have prevented m ore than 700,000 infections nationwide. The Chinese government strictly controls and treats patients regardless of cost. Internationally, China has carried out concrete anti-virus cooperation and assistance. China’s contributions to international human rights are obvious.
Rumor 7: "China is too late to provide information about human-to-human transmission of the virus."
Truth: The message sent by China is timely and strong, and the US has long known the dangers of the virus.
Allegation No.7: China did not report the human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 in time.
Fact: China issued strong warnings in a timely manner. The US knew the danger of the virus all along.
Covid-19 is a newly discovered virus. Determining that a new virus can be transmitted from person to person requires a scientific and strict demonstration procedure. On January 9th, the Chinese expert group confirmed through the media that the pathogen of the case was preliminarily identified as novel coronavirus. On January 20th, a high-level expert group from National Health Commission informed the media that Covid-19 was a human being.
SARS-CoV-2 is a newly discovered virus. It takes scientific effort and rigorous process to prove whether the virus can be transmitted from person to pe rson. On January 20, China’s National Health Commission informed the media that the novel coronavirus could be transmitted from person to person.
The China Municipal Government immediately adopted the most stringent, comprehensive and thorough prevention and control measures. On January 23rd, Wuhan, with a population of 12 million, was closed. On January 25th, Hubei Province with a population of 60 million was closed. China sent a strong warning message to the world in a shocking way.
The Chinese government immediately adopted the most stringent, comprehensive, and thorough prevention and control measures. On January 23, China put Wuhan, a city of 12 million people, under lockdown. Hubei Province, with a population of 60 million, was locked down on January 25. China sent a strong and powerful warning to the world in an alarming way.
The United States has always been well aware of the dangers of the virus. The United States is the first country to withdraw its consular staff from Wuhan, and it is also the first country to announce comprehensive restrictions on the entry of China citizens. Since January this year, public health experts from the White House and several government departments have repeatedly warned of the seriousness of the epidemic, but the keynote of White House officials has always been "don’t panic". However, it was not until early March that the US government seriously acknowledged the danger and seriousness of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States.
The US has been well aware of the danger of the virus all along. It was the first country to pull out personnel from its consulate-general in Wuhan and the first to announce entry restrictions on all Chinese citizens. Since January, public health experts repeatedly warned about the epidemic, but the White House officials responded by repeating “don’t panic." It was not until early March that the US government recognized the danger and severity of the epidemic situation in the US.
Proverb 8: "China falsified epidemic data such as diagnosis and death."
Truth: Chinese data is completely open and transparent, and the low data is due to strict prevention and control.
Allegation No.8: China provided false data on confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19.
Fact: China’ s data sharing is open and transparent. The low figures are due to strict prevention and control measures.
Why is the number of confirmed and dead cases in China low? This is due to the timely adoption of the most comprehensive, strict and thorough prevention and control measures by the China Municipal Government. Even Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, lamented: "I have never seen such mobilization in my life."
China’ s relatively low confirmed cases and fatalities are due to the country’ s comprehensive, strict, and thorough prevention and control measures. Tedros commented that he had never seen this kind of mobilization in his life.
On April 17th, Wuhan revised the number of confirmed cases and deaths, and some American politicians accused China of covering up the evidence of a large number of previous cases. Who knows, revising data is an international practice. Other countries are constantly revising the epidemic data, and the United States itself is constantly revising it. In accordance with the relevant regulations, Wuhan City took the initiative to correct the relevant data after careful investigation and verification, which proved that China adhered to the principles of openness, transparency and responsibility.
On April 17, the Wuhan government revised the city’s confirmed cases and accumulated death tolls. Some US politicians regarded that as evidence of China covering u p a large number of early cases. However, revising data is an internationally accepted practice. Some other countries are continually revising their data, and the US itself is continually revising. Wuhan revised the relevant data, providing strong proof of China upholding the principles of openness, transparency, and responsibility in data releasing.
In fact, the whole process of the epidemic in China was made public. Since January, China has published confirmed cases, deaths, suspected cases, close contacts and isolated observers every day. Bruce Aylward, senior adviser to the Director-General of the World Health Organization, pointed out: "China has not concealed data, which can be proved by many investigations conducted by the WHO expert group in China." Christakis, a professor at Yale University, also said that the results of his paper confirmed the accuracy of China’s case report.
China’ s actions in responding to COVID-19 are transparent. Since January, China has announced the confirmed cases, fatalities, suspected cases, close contacts, and quarantine numbers. Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior advisor to the WHO director-general, noted in an interview that China is not hiding anything. And the data he collected through talks with physicians from various hospitals and other stakeholders could help corroborate China’s data. Yale Professor Nicholas A Christakis also said that his research sheds light on accuracy of Chinese COVID-19 reporting.
Proverb 9: "China expelled American journalists to hide the epidemic."
Truth: China’s measures are a counter-measure against the US’s suppression of Chinese media organizations in the United States, and China’s information release is timely and transparent.
Allegation No. 9: China expelled US journalists to hide the COVID-19 epidemic.
Fact: China’s measures are in response to the US oppression of Chinese media outlets in the US, and the country’ s release of informationhas been timely and transparent.
On March 18th, China announced that it would take countermeasures against the U.S. crackdown on China media organizations in the United States, including asking American journalists whose press cards expired before the end of the year in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Washington post to return their press cards within 10 days, and not to continue to work as journalists in People’s Republic of China (PRC), including Hongkong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. China’s measures are a reciprocal response to the long-term suppression of Chinese media organizations in the United States, especially the recent expulsion of 60 Chinese journalists, rather than the so-called "to hide the epidemic."
On March 18, China announced that it would take countermeasures against US oppression of Chinese media outlets in the US, including demanding that journalists of US citizenship working with the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post whose press credentials are due to expire before the end of 2020 hand back their press cards within 10 calendar days. They will not be allowed to continue working as journalists in the People’s Republic of China, including its Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. China’s measures are a reciprocal response to the US long-term crackdown on Chinese m edia outlets in the US, especially the recent expulsion of 60 Chinese journalists, rather than "hiding the epidemic."
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has maintained an open, transparent and responsible attitude and published epidemic data to the outside world online every day. Foreign journalists in China can attend the regular press conference organized by the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, the State Council Information Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every working day to ask questions about any issues related to the epidemic. A large number of foreign journalists in China interviewed in Wuhan and published a large number of first-hand reports. The outside world’s access to information about the epidemic situation in China has not been affected. China has always welcomed media and journalists from all over the world to cover and report in China according to laws and regulations. China opposes the ideological prejudice against China, the fabrication of false news through the so-called freedom of the press, and the violation of journalistic professional ethics.
Since the outbreak, China has been open, transparent and responsible, in updating the public on a daily basis on the COVID-19 situation on the Internet. Foreign correspondents in China can attend regular press conference s organized by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, the State Council Information Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every working day to ask questions about any issue related to the outbreak. A large number of foreign journalists in Wuhan interviewed and published abundant first-hand reports. Foreign access to information about the outbreak in China has not been affected. China always welcomes media outlets and journalists of various countries to conduct interviews and reports in China in accordance with laws and regulations. China opposes ideological bias, the use of so-called freedom of the press to fabricate fake news, and violations of journalistic ethics.
Myth 10: "Taiwan Province has long warned WHO of human-to-human transmission of the virus."
Truth: Taiwan, China did not issue a warning to WHO, but sought more information from WHO after the Wuhan Health and Health Commission issued an epidemic report.
Allegation No. 10: Taiwan warned WHO about human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at an early stage.
Fact: China’s Taiwan region did not warn WHO, but sought more information from the organization after Wuhan Municipal Health Commission reported the disease.
On December 31, 2019, after Wuhan released a report on the epidemic situation of unexplained pneumonia, Taiwan’s health department sent a letter to National Health Commission to understand the information released by Wuhan Health and Health Commission, and National Health Commission gave a written reply in time through the contact window of cross-strait medical and health cooperation agreement. On the same day, Taiwan’s health department sent a so-called "early warning" email to WHO. The email did not mention "person-to-person transmission", mainly to understand the situation from WHO. The facts are very clear. The information was first released by the mainland and then relayed by the Taiwan health department. There is no such thing as Taiwan Province reporting to WHO first.
After Wuhan reported cases of pneumonia of unknown cause on December 31, 2019, the local health department in Taiwan sent a letter to the National Health Commission (NHC) inquiring about the information released by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. The NHC promptly made a written reply through the designated contac t points specified in the Cross-Strait Cooperation Agreement on Medicine and Public Health Affairs. On the same day, the health department in Taiwan sent the so-called “warning email” to WHO. The email made no reference to human-to-human transmission. It was primarily an inquiry about information from WHO. The facts ar e clear. It was the mainland of China who first released the information, and the health department in Taiwan merely relayed the message. Taiwan did not make a report to the WHO first.
WHO has repeatedly clarified that Taiwan, China did not "warn" it. On May 4, Michael Ryan, head of WHO’s health emergency project, said that the e-mail sent by Taiwan Province to WHO on December 31, 2019 was not a warning, but a request for more information about SARS reported by the media. I don’t understand why this story is still circulating.
WHO has repeatedly clarified that Taiwan did not give it a “warning.” Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, clarified on May 4 that the email sent from Taiwan on December 31, 2019 was not a warning, but a request for more information on cases of atypical pneumonia reported by news sources. He doesn’t understand why the story is still spreading.
Rumor 11: "China woos and controls the World Health Organization."
Truth: China maintains good communication and cooperation with WHO, but China has never manipulated WHO.
Allegation No. 11: China bribes and controls WHO.
Fact: China maintains good communication and cooperation with WHO, but China has never manipulated the organization.
WHO is an independent international organization composed of 194 United Nations Member States. The WHO expert team consists of experts from the fields of medicine and public health. Most member states, including China, clearly support the work of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. China has maintained good communication and cooperation with WHO for a long time, but China has never manipulated WHO.
WHO is a specialized UN agency with 194 member states. WHO’s team of experts are authorities from the medical and public health fields. Most member sta tes, including China, explicitly support the work of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. China has long maintained good communication and cooperation with WHO, but China has never controlled WHO.
China is not the dominant country in WHO. Before the United States announced on April 14th that it would suspend the payment of WHO membership dues, the United States was the largest source of funds for WHO. According to WHO official information, membership fees currently account for less than a quarter of the organization’s funding sources, and the rest comes from voluntary donations. Taken together, China is the ninth largest contributor. In the 21-member leadership team of WHO headquarters, there is only one member from China, while 11 members are from the United States, the European Union, Canada and Australia.
It is not China that dominates the WHO. The United States was WHO’s largest funder before it announced it would halt funding on April 14. According to WHO official information, membership fees currently account for less than a quarter of the organization’s funding, with the rest coming from voluntary donations. If voluntary contributions are taken into account, China is only the 9th biggest contributor. Eleven members on its 21-strong headquarters leadership team are from the US, the EU, Canada and Australia, and only one is from China.
Myth 12: "China is responsible for the global pandemic of COVID-19 virus"
Truth: It is unfounded and unreasonable to ask China to be responsible and compensated for the epidemic.
Allegation No. 12: China is responsible for the global spread of the pandemic.
Fact: The claim that China is responsible and should compensate for the pandemic is legally unfounded and unreasonable.
The epidemic is a natural disaster, and China, like other countries, is a victim. Sudden large-scale epidemic disease is a world public health event, and there is no so-called "national responsibility" problem of the country where the epidemic started. Regarding the so-called "China is responsible for compensation", Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang asked: "In 2009, the H1N1 flu was first diagnosed in the United States and broke out in a large area, spreading to 214 countries and regions, resulting in nearly 200,000 deaths. Who asked the United States to compensate?"
COVID-19 is a natural, not man-made, disaster. China, like other countries, is a victim, not a culprit. A pandemic is a global public health emergency. There is no such a thing as “state responsibility” of the first country to report cases . The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus was first detected in people in the United States and has since spread to 214 countries and regions around the world, claiming nearly 200,000 lives globally, but the international community has never demanded that the US take responsibility or pay reparations, said Geng Shuang, China’ s Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
There is no international law to support the accountability of the country that first reported the epidemic situation, and China’s epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic behavior has not violated any international law. In this epidemic, China’s international notification channels are fast, timely, open and transparent, and many prevention and control measures adopted far exceed the requirements of the International Health Regulations. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the claim was "creepy" and unacceptable.
Internationally, there is no legal basis to hold the countries that first reported the outbreak accountable. China’s disease prevention and control measures have not v iolated any international laws either. In this outbreak, China’s channels of releasing information were fast, timely, open and transparent, and many prevention and control measures went far beyond the requirements of the International Health Regulations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavr ov said his hair stood on end when he heard the allegations that China will have to pay and such claims are completely unacceptable.
Proverb 13: "China’s epidemic prevention practices discriminate against African citizens."
Truth: China’s prevention and control measures adhere to the principle of treating China and foreign countries equally, and oppose any differential practices targeting specific groups.
Allegation No. 13: China took discriminatory measures against Africans in its virus-hit cities.
Fact: China’ s COVID-19 response measures apply to both Chinese and foreigners without discrimination. China opposes any differentiated anti-virus practices that target specific groups of people.
On April 24th, in response to the so-called "Africans are discriminated against in Guangzhou" and other rumors, the Embassy of China in South Africa published a signed article "Beware of rumors with ulterior motives interfering with the development of China-Africa friendly relations" in the mainstream media in South Africa. The article pointed out that in order to protect the health and safety of all Chinese and foreign personnel, Guangzhou recently upgraded its prevention and control measures. Guangzhou has conducted key screening and comprehensive testing on all high-risk groups, imposed mandatory quarantine on all inbound passengers for 14 days, and imposed home or centralized quarantine on 15,000 people, including nearly 10,000 in Chinese and more than 4,600 foreigners. Foreigners include both African nationals and citizens of 13 countries including the United States, Australia and Russia, which is definitely not "discriminating against Africa".
In response to allegations that African citizens were discriminated against in Guangzhou, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa on April 24 published a signed article in the mainstream media of South Africa titled "Be Vigilant of the Virus of Evil Rumours to Sabotage China-Africa Friendship."The article pointed out that, in order to protect the health and safety of all Chinese and foreign nationals, Guangzhou upgraded its prevention and control measures, including prioritized and comprehensive testing of all high-risk groups, 14-day compulsory quarantine of all inbound passengers, and requiring 15, 000 people to stay at home or go to designated places for collective quarantine. Nearly 10,000 of the quarantined are Chinese citizens, and more than 4,600 are foreigners, including African nationals, as well as foreign nationals from another 13 countries such as the US, Australia and Russia. There is no such thing as "discrimination against Africans."
In response to false rumors such as "Nigerian citizens were treated improperly in Guangzhou", the Nigerian side made clarification. Nigerian Foreign Minister Onyama said that Nigerian citizens who were quarantined in Guangzhou were properly arranged. On April 18th, the head of the African delegation in Guangzhou said that Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City have taken many measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of African nationals living in Guangdong. Some African diplomatic envoys in China said that no external forces, no matter what their intentions or means, could stop the development of friendly relations between Africa and China.
NigerianForeign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has rejected rumors about Nigerian citizens being treated improperly in Guangzhou, saying that Nigerians undergoing quarantine there have been treated properly. On April 18, the dean of the African Consulate Corps in Guangzhou confirmed that Guangdong Province and Guangzhou city have taken multiple steps to protect the rights and interests of African expatriates there.
Some African envoys in China have noted that the profound friendship between Africa and China has stood the test of vicissitudes and that no external force can stop it from growing further.
Rumor 14: "China hackers and spies tried to steal the results of American vaccine research."
Truth: China resolutely opposes cyber hacking, and COVID-19’s vaccine research is at the forefront of the world.
Allegation No. 14: Hackers from China tried to steal US vaccine research results.
Fact: China firmly opposes cyber hacking, and China is already at the forefront of the global race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
China has always resolutely opposed and cracked down on all forms of cyber hacking according to law. On the other hand, in the United States, from Wikileaks to Snowden incident, and then to the recent Swiss encryption incident, the United States has not been able to give an explanation to the international community. Facts have repeatedly proved that the United States has long carried out large-scale, organized and indiscriminate network stealing and monitoring on foreign governments, enterprises and individuals, and China has also suffered greatly.
China has always resolutely opposed and cracked down on all forms of cyber attacks. On the contrary, the United States has been involved in many spying scandals such as the WikiLeaks, Edward Snowden and the Swiss Crypto AG incidents, and it has not yet given any explanation to the international community.
Facts have repeatedly proved that the US has been organizing large-scale and indiscriminate cyber spying against foreign governments, enterprises, and individuals for many years. China is also one of its victims.
China started early, invested heavily and made rapid progress in vaccine research and development in Covid-19, and always adhered to the concept of open cooperation. After the outbreak, China chose five technical routes to accelerate the research and development of vaccines in Covid-19, covering the main types of vaccines in Covid-19 in the world. Up to now, several Covid-19 vaccines have been approved for clinical trials in China. Recently, China’s scientific research team published the results of Covid-19 vaccine animal experiment in Science.
China has played a leading role in COVID-19 vaccine research, starting early,with high investment, and rapid progress. China has always adhered to the principles of cooperation. Since the outbreak, China has been developing a COVID-19 vaccine using five technical routes, covering the major types of coronavirus vaccines being researched worldwide. So far, several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for clinical trials in China. Recently, Chinese researchers published the results of animal experiments on a new COVID-19 vaccine in the journal Science.
Proverbs 15: "China’s foreign aid to fight the epidemic is only to expand geopolitical influence."
Truth: China’s foreign anti-epidemic assistance is to reciprocate a peach and practice the concept of a community of human destiny.
Allegation No. 15: China’s foreign aid program aims to expand its geopolitical influence.
Fact: China ’ s efforts to help other countries fight the pandemic is in return for their help and to practice the concept of building a community with shared future for mankind.
The Chinese nation is a nation that knows how to be grateful and reciprocate. The people of China will never forget that the international community gave us valuable support and help at the most difficult time for China to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. China’s anti-epidemic aid to foreign countries is not only based on the international humanitarian spirit, but also on the firm belief of the community of human destiny.
The Chinese nation knows how to be grateful and how to reciprocate. Chinese people will not forget the support they received from the international community in the darkest time of fighting the virus.
China’s foreign assistance program is derived not only from the spirit of international humanitarianism, but also from the firm belief of a community with a shared future for mankind.
The international community generally appreciates China’s support and help, and Pakistani President, Serbian President, Italian Prime Minister and European Commission President all expressed their gratitude to China for its support in their own ways. The African Union issued a statement, and the Presidents of South Africa and Zimbabwe delivered speeches respectively, thanking China for its strong support to African countries in fighting the epidemic, saying that China’s assistance was a real act of friendship and set an example for global cooperation in fighting the epidemic.
China’s kindness has been met with praise from the international community. Global leaders like the president of Pakistan, president of Serbia, prime minister of Italy, and the European Commission president have all expressed their gratitude to China for its help and support. The African Union and presidents of South Africa and Zimbabwe delivered separate speeches thanking China for its strong support of African countries in the fight against the pandemic, calling China’s aid a gesture of true friendship, and hailing it as a good example of global anti-virus cooperation.
Proverb 16: "China uses Covid-19 to paralyze the western economy."
Truth: China’s economy is closely linked to the world economy, and China’s economy is also seriously affected by the epidemic.
Allegation No. 16: China intends to paralyze Western economies by spreading COVID-19.
Fact: China and the world are closely inter-linked through economies. The virus has also hit China’s economy hard.
China is a staunch supporter of the multilateral trading system. Since China joined the WTO in 2001, China’s economy has been more and more closely integrated with the world economy. In 2019, China’s import and export volume reached 31.54 trillion RMB, of which 17.23 trillion RMB was exported, accounting for about 18% of the total economy. China is interdependent with the world, and it is in China’s interest only if the world economy works well.
China has been a firm supporter of the multilateral trading system. Since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China’s economy has become more and more integrated with the rest of the world. China’s foreign trade rose to a historic high of 31.54 trillion yuan ( $4.4 trillion) in 2019. Exports grew to 17.23 trillion yuan, which comprised about 18 percent of China’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year. China and the world depend on each other. China’s interests can only be served in a healthy global economy.
The sudden outbreak of the epidemic has hit the economies of all countries in the world, and China is no exception. In the first quarter of this year, China’s GDP fell by 6.8%, the lowest since China began to collect quarterly GDP data in 1992.
The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a heavy toll on global economies, China is also one of the victims. China’s GDP shrank by 6.8 percent in the first three months of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the weakest growth rate since 1992 when the country started publishing quarterly GDP data.
Rumor 17: "China hoards protective materials and intentionally restricts exports."
Truth: China has never restricted exports, and has been providing medical protection materials to relevant countries within its capacity.
Allegation No. 17: China has been hoarding medical supplies and has restricted medical exports.
Fact: China has no restrictions on medical exports. Instead, China has been providing medical supplies to other countries to the best of its ability.
January and February are the most important traditional festivals in China during the Spring Festival. In addition, this year’s sudden outbreak of the epidemic, the large-scale "shutdown" of economic activities such as production, the surge in domestic demand for epidemic prevention materials, and the decline in the production and export of materials are reasonable.
The Spring Festival, the biggest traditional festival in China, usually falls in January and February. The sudden outbreak of the epidemic suspended production and other business activities in many areas and sparke d a surge in domestic demand for anti-epidemic supplies. Therefore, it is reasonable that production and export of supplies have declined.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has been trying its best to provide medical protection materials to the countries concerned while overcoming its own difficulties. China has never restricted the export of medical supplies. China issued the Announcement on Further Strengthening the Supervision of the Export Quality of Epidemic Prevention Materials and other policies and measures in order to better strengthen the supervision of the export quality of epidemic prevention materials, which is also responsible for the global epidemic prevention.
Since the outbreak, despite a still formidable task of combating COVID-19 at home, China has been providing medical supplies to other countries. China has no restrictions on exporting medical supplies. Policy measures such as the ann ouncement on further strengthening quality control of anti-epidemic supplies were introduced to improve quality control of medical supplies and ensure orderly and well-regulated export, which is a commitment to the global anti-pandemic battle.
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Commerce of China, from March 1 to May 6, China has exported epidemic prevention materials to 194 countries and regions through market procurement. According to the statistics of China Customs, from March 1st to April 30th, 27.8 billion export masks, 130 million sets of protective clothing and 49,100 sets of ventilators were inspected and released nationwide.
According to the Ministry of Commerce of China, between March 1 and May 6, China met export orders for anti-pandemic supplies from 194 countries. According to statistics from China’s General Administration of Customs, from March 1 to April 30, China exported 27.8 billion masks, 130 million protective suits, and 49,100 ventilators.
According to the statistics of China Customs, from March 1 to May 5, China provided more than 6.6 billion masks, 344 million pairs of surgical gloves, 44.09 million sets of protective clothing, 6.75 million pairs of goggles and nearly 7,500 ventilators to the United States. Even Pompeo himself said, "We expect China to continue … … Provide us with assistance and sell these goods to us. "
Statistics from China’ s General Administration of Customs show that between March 1 and May 5, China exported to the US 6.6 billion masks, 344 million pairs of surgical gloves, 44.09 million protective suits, 6.75 million goggles, and nearly 7,500 ventilators.
Even US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo himself said that he hoped China would “continue to live up to its international obligations to provide that assistance to us and to sell us those goods.”
Proverbs 18: "Medical items imported from China are fake and shoddy products."
Truth: China attaches great importance to the quality and safety of epidemic prevention materials, and some problems stem from improper use or different Chinese and foreign standards.
Allegation No.18: Medical items imported from China are shoddy products.
Fact: China attaches great importance to the quality and safety of anti-epidemic supplies. Some of the problems are due to improper use or different standards between China and foreign countries.
Since the outbreak, many countries have purchased medical supplies in China market. On March 30th, China’s Foreign Ministry made a clear response at a regular press conference. China recommended qualified export enterprises to communicate and negotiate with foreign buyers through diplomatic channels, but foreign buyers did not report the quality problems of materials purchased through the above channels.
Since the outbreak, many countries have purchased medical supplies from the Chinese market. China’ s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference on March 30 that China recommended qualified companies to the foreign buyers via diplomatic channels and it hasn’ t received any complaints from the buyers about the products purchased via the recommended channels.
Regarding the Dutch media’s claim that the masks imported from China have "quality problems", according to the investigation, the masks were purchased by Dutch agents themselves, and the Chinese enterprises had informed the Dutch side that the masks were non-medical masks before delivery, and the export declaration procedures were also performed in the name of "non-medical masks". Some Slovak government officials questioned the reliability of the rapid detection kit purchased from China. It is understood that the Slovak medical staff mistakenly used the usual nucleic acid reagent detection method for the newly purchased antigen kit, resulting in inaccurate results. Regarding the statement made by officials of the Philippine Ministry of Health on the accuracy of China’s aid to the Philippines, the Philippine Ministry of Health has also clarified that the test kit donated by the government of China has the same effect as the test reagent provided by WHO.
Concerning the quality problems of masks bought from China reported by Dutch media, it turns out that the masks were procured by Dutch agency companies. Investigation by Chinese authorities found that the Chinese company had informed the Dutch import company that the masks were non-surgical masks before the shipment. Export declaration procedures were also performed in the name of non-surgical masks.
Some Slovak officials questioned the reliability of the quick coronavirus test kits purchased from China. According to the investigation, Slovak medical workers used these antigen test kits incorrectly with a preceding method applicable to nucleic acid testing, which led to the inaccurate results.
Also, in response to Philippine health official’s remarks on the accuracy of China-provided aid of testing reagents, the health department made clarifications that the test kits produce identical results with those provided by WHO.
China Municipal Government attaches great importance to the quality and safety of epidemic prevention materials. Since March 31st, the China Municipal Government has issued many policies to strengthen the quality management of medical products export. The Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs and the National Medical Products Administration jointly issued an announcement, requiring that five types of products, such as detection reagents, medical masks and medical protective clothing, be exported with relevant qualifications from the national drug regulatory authorities and meet the quality standards of importing countries (regions). The General Administration of Customs has also begun to carry out export commodity inspection on 11 categories of medical masks.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the quality and safety of medical supplies. Relevant authorities have stepped up joint actions to t ighten quality control of medical exports and ensure proper export procedures.
Since March 31, the Chinese government has issued policies on many occasions, requiring that five types of exported goods including testing kits, medical masks and medical protective suits not only obtain relevant qualifications from the national drug regulatory authority, but also meet the quality standards of the importing country. Chinese customs has also started to require that 11 types of medical supplies such as medical masksbe inspected before being exported.