US State Department summons Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai amid anger over Beijing coronavirus comments
- Diplomat David Stilwell delivers a ‘stern representation’ of the US government’s position to Cui Tiankai
- Meeting in Washington follows Chinese foreign ministry spokesman’s insinuation that the US military brought the coronavirus to China
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.
The assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, David Stilwell, gave a very “stern representation” of the US government’s position on the matter to Cui, who was “very defensive”, according to a State Department spokesman. “No threats, just frank diplomatic discourse.”
“China is seeking to deflect criticism for its role in starting a global pandemic and not telling the world,” the spokesman said. “Spreading conspiracy theories is dangerous and ridiculous. We wanted to put the government on notice we won’t tolerate it for the good of the Chinese people and the world.”
Amid escalating accusations from officials and politicians in China and the US, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian posted a series of tweets late on Thursday and early Friday suggesting that the virus, which causes the potentially deadly illness Covid-19, may have been spread by the United States military.
Zhao’s allegation was apparently linked to the US Army’s participation in the international Military World Games held in Wuhan in October, which drew competitors from more than 100 countries.