China on Wednesday denied rumours and said the neither 'created nor intentionally transmitted' the deadly novel coronavirus around the world. It urged the internatinaonal community to not build such theories and use terms like 'Chinese virus' or 'Wuhan virus'.
Ji Rong, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, said the international community should focus on China's 'swift response' to the pandemic rather than 'stereotyping the Chinese people'.
'Those people who are trying to stigmatise China's efforts have ignored the huge sacrifices the Chinese people made in safeguarding the health and safety of all mankind,' Ji Rong said, highlighting the WHO's statement on linking China to the virus.
He noted that although Wuhan city in China first reported the outbreak, there is no evidence that China is the source of the virus that caused COVID-19. 'The so-called 'Chinese virus' is absolutely wrong,' Ji said, adding the origin of the novel coronavirus is a matter of science that requires professional and scientific assessment.
Earlier this month, China had condemned US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for branding the COVID-19 as 'Wuhan virus', terming his remarks as 'despicable behaviour' and an attempt to stigmatise the country. US President Trump had also repeatedly used the term 'chinese virus' to describe the contagious infection.
There is a clear consensus by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that any stigmatisation of the virus by linking it to a specific country, region or ethnic group should be rejected.
The concensus came afte several instances were reported in countries including India and the USA where people, especially of Chinese origin or Chinese-looking, have been harassed and have even faced racially-motivated attacks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, China, on its communication with India, said that both countries have maintained communication and have lent support to each other in coping with the pandemic through difficult times. He noted the Indian side has provided medical supplies to China and supported its fight against the contagion in various ways.
'We express appreciation and thanks for that,' Ji said.
'The Chinese enterprises have started to make donations to India. We stand ready to provide further support and assistance to the best of our capability in light of the needs of the Indian side. We believe that the Indian people will win the battle at an early date,' he said.
'China will continue to fight the epidemic together with India and other countries, enhance cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the G20 and BRICS, contribute our wisdom and strength to better addressing global challenges and promoting the health and well-being of all mankind,' Ji added.
