University to review plagiarism claims against ‘China’s Dr Fauci’ Zhang Wenhong

Critics say a review section in Zhang’s doctoral thesis is very similar to that in another paper

Supporter says the accusers are deliberately confusing the issue

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China has an elimination strategy towards the coronavirus. Photo: Bloomberg

Guo Ruiin Guangzhou

Published: 9:00pm, 15 Aug 2021Updated: 11:00pm, 15 Aug 2021

One of China’s leading universities is re-examining the doctoral dissertation of a household name in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic after accusations surfaced online about plagiarism.

In a brief statement on Sunday, Shanghai’s Fudan University said it was aware of the online concern and had launched an investigation into the degree it awarded to Zhang Wenhong – often described as “China’s Dr Fauci” – in 2000.

The results of the investigation would be released in a timely manner, the university said.

Zhang is the director of Huashan Hospital’s department of infectious diseases and a member of the Shanghai panel overseeing treatment for Covid-19.

Zhang gained a reputation for his outspoken and down-to-earth discussions about the coronavirus and has been criticised in recent weeks for suggesting that countries will have to find a way to live with Covid-19, an idea that runs counter to China’s zero-tolerance strategy.

Zhang Wenhong is one China’s best-known figures in the fight against the coronavirus: Photo: TPG/Getty

University to review plagiarism claims against ‘China’s Dr Fauci’ Zhang Wenhong

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Critics say a review section in Zhang’s doctoral thesis is very similar to that in another paper Supporter says the accusers are deliberately confusing the issue

Critics say a review section in Zhang’s doctoral thesis is very similar to that in another paper

Supporter says the accusers are deliberately confusing the issue