China’s ambassador to the United States distanced himself from the claim that the coronavirus originated from a military laboratory in the U.S.
Ambassador Cui Tiankai, who previously called the notion “crazy,” said he stood by that assessment in an interview with Axios on HBO.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian has been spreading the claim without presenting evidence. Scientists believe the virus merged from animals sold in a market in Wuhan, China, where the first cases of the virus were reported.
When asked why the spokesman was promoting the rumors, Cui said, “Maybe you could go and ask him.” Cui said he had not asked the spokesman himself.
“I’m here representing my head of the state and my government. Not any particular individual,” he said, later adding, “I don’t have the responsibility to explain everybody’s views to you.”
