Voice of America
26 Mar 2020, 20:05 GMT+10
China's Foreign Ministry Thursday strongly condemned comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in which he referred to COVID-19 as the "Wuhan" virus and claimed China has been waging a "disinformation campaign" about the epidemic.
Pompeo made the comments to reporters Wednesday on the sidelines of a videoconference with Group of Seven economic powers nations. Pompeo said the nations were united in opposing China's coronavirus "disinformation."
Speaking a regular news briefing in Beijing Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said Pompeo insists on using the term "Wuhan virus" to stigmatize China and discredit China's efforts in an attempt to divert attention and shift responsibilities. Shuang said Pompeo "has a very sinister motive."
Pompeo and other members of the administration, including U.S. President Donald Trump himself have frequently referred to the new coronavirus as the "Wuhan" or "China" virus. The World Health Organization and other international bodies have officially named the virus "Coronavirus disease / COVID-19."
The use of the term became an issue during the G7 teleconference Wednesday when the U.S. insisted on using the term "Wuhan virus" in the joint statement to be issued following the meeting. Other member nations objected to the use of the term, which resulted in separate statements being issued.
Get a daily dose of London Mercury news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to London Mercury.
More InformationTownsend rues indiscipline as Scotland suffer costly tour defeat against Fiji
S&P- Generative AI Growth High, With Mixed Results
Triple Helix, MaxxKonnect Welcome Sales, Marketing Leader
Private schools hike fees in Wales as pupils leave amid VAT changes
Powell To Take A Key Programming Role For iHeartMedia-Chicago
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high this week, buoyed by growing institutional interest and a wave of pro-crypto...
SHENZHEN, China: As global chip competition intensifies, Huawei Technologies is exploring new markets in the Middle East and Southeast...
LONDON/NEW YORK CITY: American grocery bills may be headed higher as coffee and orange juice prices face upward pressure from new tariffs...
BATTLE CREEK, Michigan: In a major consolidation of iconic food brands, WK Kellogg has agreed to be acquired by the owner of Ferrero...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Filmmaker Peter Jackson's lifelong fascination with the extinct giant New Zealand flightless bird called the moa...
NEW DELHI, India: India has submitted a revised proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva to implement retaliatory tariffs...