US summons Chinese envoy over Beijing’s coronavirus comments

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The US government summoned Chinese Ambassador, Cui Tiankai, to the State Department on Friday to protest Beijing’s suggestion that the US military brought the coronavirus to China.

“Top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, David Stillwell, delivered a very ‘stern representation’ to China’s ambassador Cui Tiankai,” a State Department official said.

The State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that spreading conspiracy theories is dangerous and ridiculous, adding “we wanted to put the government on notice we won’t tolerate it for the good of the Chinese people and the world”.

China’s embassy did not respond to requests for comment.

Tensions escalated after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, tweeted in English on Thursday saying: “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!”.

//Petra//