A spokesman for communist China’s Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that the U.S. Army may have brought the coronavirus to China, despite the fact that the virus originated in China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian falsely claimed on Twitter, “When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!”

Lijian also posted links to other propaganda that also falsely claimed that the coronavirus originated in the U.S.

“Beijing has been bending over backward trying to convince the world that the United States is the real culprit behind the quickly spreading virus that’s already claimed more than 4,600 lives across the globe,” Fox News reported. “It’s a high-stakes strategy for the Asian nation fighting to keep its superpower status amid a national lockdown and palpable anger over claims that Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus, at first covered it up, triggering a worldwide health and economic crisis.”

“At best, China’s aggressive new campaign can be chalked up to ambitious propaganda. At its worst, it’s a reckless display from a country that has actively misled the world while working overtime to save its own skin, foreign affairs expert Gordon G. Chang told Fox News,” the report continued. “Chang believes Beijing has been laying the groundwork for a PR attack against the United States for more than a month, first by throwing doubt on the origin of COVID-19 and second, by slamming America’s handling of previous diseases like the swine flu, which decimated China’s pork industry.”

Members of Congress quickly responded to the false claims from Chinese communist officials, warning Americans and the media to not buy into Chinese propaganda.

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) tweeted: “This is such a disgusting take by a Spokesperson for China’s govt, desperately trying to blame the US military for a pandemic that started in their own country. This Chinese propaganda is a LIE! China should accept responsibility for the devastation it caused globally w/COVID-19.”

This is such a disgusting take by a Spokesperson for China’s govt, desperately trying to blame the US military for a pandemic that started in their own country. This Chinese propaganda is a LIE! China should accept responsibility for the devastation it caused globally w/COVID-19. https://t.co/kjC1Fj4E6Y — Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) March 12, 2020

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) tweeted: “Attn US elected officials & journalists. In Congress, I have focused on the threat of disinformation from foreign adversaries, I reiterate the significance of the threat of propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party. Do not legitimize Chinese Communist talking points.”

🚨🚨Attn US elected officials & journalists🚨🚨 In Congress, I have focused on the threat of disinformation from foreign adversaries, I reiterate the significance of the threat of propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party. Do not legitimize Chinese Communist talking points👇 https://t.co/yNEP71JjNN — Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) March 12, 2020

Gady Epstein, The Economist’s China Affairs Editor, highlighted China’s lies and disinformation efforts on Twitter, writing: “Chinese diplomat with 272k followers spreads completely insane theory that US army might have brought the virus to Wuhan. China’s use of social media for disinfo is becoming ever more serious concern.”

Chinese diplomat with 272k followers spreads completely insane theory that US army might have brought the virus to Wuhan. China’s use of social media for disinfo is becoming ever more serious concern https://t.co/WHOheeQVAY — Gady Epstein (@gadyepstein) March 12, 2020

“Top spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry spreading content from grayzone, a gonzo disinfo site that’s friendly to authoritarian regimes,” Epstein tweeted. “Have seen a couple other Chinese dips spreading grayzone stories (as well as RT) in past.”

These Chinese official falsely claimed, “It seems that some US officials enjoy smearing China around the clock & around the world. What they say about Xinjiang is the LIE of the CENTURY. LYING and CHEATING won’t make you nobler and greater. Why not come to Xinjiang and see with your own eyes?”