China Blames U.S. Military for Coronavirus: They 'Might' Have Brought it to China
Communist nation flexes propaganda muscle in face of virus
© press
According to a spokesman for communist China’s Foreign Ministry, the deadly coronavirus 'might' have been brought to China by members of the U.S military.
The baseless claims made by Zhao Lijian seemingly disregards the fact that the virus originated in China.
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.
According to a report from Fox News, Beijing has been bending over backward, trying to convince the world that the United States is to blame for spreading the coronavirus, which has already claimed 4,600 worldwide.
© press
The report adds that the Asian nation has placed a high-stakes strategy to keep hold of its superpower status.
Foreign affairs expert Gordon G. Chang said:
“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."
Chang believes that Beijing has devised a PR attack against the United States for more than a month while blasting America’s handling of previous diseases like the swine flu,
But members of Congress swiftly responded to false claims from Chinese communist officials, warning that people should not believe the 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
🚨🚨Attn US elected officials & journalists🚨🚨
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) March 12, 2020
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
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. Have seen a couple other Chinese dips spreading grayzone stories (as well as RT) in past https://t.co/15UYP1c4aT
— Gady Epstein (@gadyepstein) March 12, 2020
© press
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.”
According to a report from QZ, conspiracy theories that seek to shift the narrative away from one that pins China as the source of the virus are also growing in popularity, helped along by Chinese authorities. Zhao’s latest comments have only further legitimized these claims.
The Economist’s China Affairs Editor, Gady Epstein, called out China's lies and disinformation on Twitter:
“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.”
“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.”
This 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?”
