Chinese Official Claims US Military Brought Coronavirus To Wuhan, Reps Zeldin & Stefanik React: “This Chinese Propaganda Is A LIE!”

[Image source: Fox News video screenshots & Zhao Lijian's Twitter profile picture. Swamp Drain compilation].

Posted By: Lindsey Michelle March 13, 2020

A Chinese official has promoted a conspiracy theory on Thursday, claiming that the United States military may have brought the coronavirus to China and that it did not originate in the city of Wuhan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian republished a video of Robert Redfield, the director for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, addressing a US Congressional committee on March 11. In the clip, Redfield said some influenza deaths in the US were later identified as cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, CNN reported.

“CDC was caught on the spot. 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!” Zhao Lijian tweeted with the video.

Republican members of Congress called out the conspiracy theory that is being pushed by China and the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) took to Twitter Thursday and warned: “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”.

Rep. Lee Zelin (R-NY) also spoke up on Thursday to express: “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.” (Continued Below)

(Related: Amid Coronavirus, Democrats Bring ‘NO BAN Act’ To House Floor; WH Threatens To Veto If It Reaches Trump’s Desk)

The first case of someone suffering from Covid-19 can be traced back to 17 November, according to media reports on unpublished Chinese government data. The report, in the South China Morning Post, said Chinese authorities had identified at least 266 people who contracted the virus last year and who came under medical surveillance, and the earliest case was 17 November – weeks before authorities announced the emergence of the new virus, The Guardian reported.

The Chinese government was widely criticized over attempts to cover up the outbreak in the early weeks, including crackdowns on doctors who tried to warn colleagues about a new Sars-like virus, which was emerging in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, as per The Guardian. Video Below

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian’s official tweet:

Rep. Elise Stefanik’s official tweet:

Continued Below

Rep. Lee Zeldin’s official tweet:

The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra wonders why Democrat members of Congress have not called out the Chinese propaganda.

*Update* President Trump also responded Friday to China’s propaganda: