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G7 members slam China over coronavirus disinformation campaign

Salaam Times and AFP

A member of airport security wears protective gear in Shanghai on March 26. [Hector Retamal/AFP]

A member of airport security wears protective gear in Shanghai on March 26. [Hector Retamal/AFP]

The Group of Seven (G7) powers stand united in opposing the Chinese regime's coronavirus disinformation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday (March 25).

Foreign ministers from the major industrialised democracies spoke about the crisis by videoconference, scrapping a meeting scheduled in the United States.

Pompeo said he shared a common view with the top diplomats of the other G7 countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

"Every one of the nations that were at that meeting this morning was deeply aware of the disinformation campaign that the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in to try and deflect from what has really taken place," Pompeo told reporters.

Beijing "has been and continues to be engaged in" a social media campaign that has included conspiracy theories of US involvement, said Pompeo.

US troops brought the virus to Wuhan, the metropolis where it was first detected late last year, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested on Twitter earlier in March.

"This is crazy talk," said Pompeo, referring to the Chinese propaganda.

The virus has killed more than 21,000 people globally, but Beijing has been on a massive public relations campaign to appear as though it has brought the virus under control.

The Chinese regime is also actively sending aid overseas, attempting to come off as a benevolent power.

Cover-up by Beijing

Pompeo has accused Beijing of putting the world at risk by initially suppressing news of the virus.

International concern is growing about the accuracy of the information coming from Chinese officials, who announced March 18 that China had no new local infection cases. Many observers doubt that China has had no new infections, considering the scope of COVID-19's spread in the country.

Despite Beijing's malign efforts, the United States seeks co-operation with all countries, including China, said Pompeo.

The US government and US private charities alike are working to help fight COVID-19 around the world, said Pompeo, noting a US Air Force delivery on March 20 of vital medical supplies to Italy.

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Each country of the world is trying to combat corona virus. There is possibility that those will get affected who play a vital role in the bloodshed.

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As this killing virus disease spread to the whole world this easily, it creates surprising questions for all the people of the world. I don't think it is medically applicable to see a disease spread to the world this quickly and create a big human catastrophe. As time passes, it will be found that there are many points behind it. Now the world's super power and developed and wealthy countries should take serious measures and help poor countries such as Afghanistan and others. These countries should handle this issue to avoid further loses to the people, else, this disease will remain in these countries for years as a source, and will both kill the people and spread to other countries. China, America and other developed countries should take immediate action, find its vaccine and or medicine and send it to poor, weak and war torn countries too because they [China, America and other developed countries] are responsible for producing this disease.

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This virus really caused the world with a big catastrophe, but if Allah is willing it won't be that serious in Afghanistan. Forty year long war passed in Afghanistan, we saw many deaths. If Allah is willing, almighty Allah will take revenge of shedding the blood of Afghans in a few months.

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I think every super power tries not to show their country weak against this virus, and they do not want to show the real casualty toll. America is also not a country which will do anything necessary for the poor countries. We have to struggle against the corona virus as much as we can, and follow our traditional ways.

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China and America together with other big powers should jointly struggle against Corona. This is the question of the survival of human being and we all responsible to respond to it.

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I am very sad that the world is currently losing its best children. I hope that an appropriate solution will be found for them Inshallah.

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