Absurd to say virus originated in China: Xinhua

Beijing has launched a propaganda drive to try to convince the world that the Covid-19 virus may not have originated in China. File photo: AFP

Mainland media on Saturday dismissed any suggestion that the new Covid-19 virus originated in China, describing this as an "absurd" allegation aimed at "smearing" Chinese people.



Xinhua News Agency also slammed what it said were calls by US individuals and media outlets for China to "apologise" for the outbreak, saying this runs counter to an urgent need for international collaboration to combat the epidemic.



"Such an argument, like a 'political virus', is even more dangerous than Covid-19. It reveals nothing but prejudice, arrogance and ignorance," Xinhua said.



"The epidemic was first reported in China but that does not mean it necessarily originated in China, specialists have explained. The World Health Organisation has said many times that Covid-19 is a global phenomenon with its source still undetermined."



The news agency also noted that the name Covid-19 was chosen so that no connection is made between the new virus and China.



"No matter where the origin is, China and other countries hit by the epidemic are all victims of the virus and are faced with a serious battle against the outbreak. What is the point of blaming the victim and arguing that someone should apologise for it?," a commentary said.



"However, there are people who ignore the facts, put political interests above public interests and science, spread rumors and incite ideological prejudices, even racial discrimination and xenophobia. What are they up to?"



The article also noted that officials from the World Health Organisation had praised China's "utmost effort" to contain the epidemic and for buying time for the rest of the world to do the same.



"If there is anyone who owes the world an apology, it must be those who spread a "political virus" that smears Chinese people's efforts against the epidemic and jeopardizes global solidarity," Xinhua said.



The Covid-19 outbreak, which erupted in Hubei province late last year, has now infected tens of thousands of people, the vast majority of them in China. Doctors in Wuhan who attempted to alert people to the new virus were punished by the authorities, while for weeks officials insisted the epidemic was not a serious threat to public health.