China has firmly rejected the recent assessment from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) suggesting that COVID-19 was more likely to have originated from a laboratory leak. According to the CIA, the pandemic virus’s origins are more probable to be linked to a lab mishap than natural animal transmission, based on available reports.
In a statement on January 27, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the laboratory leak theory “extremely unlikely,” citing the findings of the China-WHO joint expert team. This team, which visited relevant laboratories in Wuhan, reached the conclusion after field visits that were widely accepted by the international scientific community.
The CIA’s new assessment surfaced after John Ratcliffe’s confirmation as CIA director under the second White House administration of Donald Trump. While the CIA spokesperson clarified that the agency was not making a definitive conclusion, it raised the possibility of a research-related origin for the virus.
In response, Beijing urged the United States to avoid “politicizing” the issue and to cease blaming China. The Chinese government further called on Washington to address the international community’s concerns regarding the origins of the pandemic promptly.
