Asia Pacific / Politics Jun 12, 2021
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by telephone with senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi — their first talks since a heated in-person encounter in Alaska in March.
Commentary / World Jun 8, 2021
Wuhan lab dispute obscures a more pressing problem
by Brad Glosserman
Senior Chinese officials acknowledge their country’s “clear shortcomings” in its high-level biosafety labs in comparison with the U.S. and warned of insufficient operating funds.
Asia Pacific Jun 8, 2021
China markets sold mink and civets, stoking natural origins theory
by Jason Gale
The hunt for COVID-19’s origins has become increasingly political amid criticism that the Chinese government hasn’t been open and transparent.
Asia Pacific Jun 8, 2021
U.S. government laboratory concluded COVID-19 may have leaked from Wuhan lab, report says
The U.S. lab concluded that the hypothesis is plausible and deserves further investigation, The Wall Street Journal said.
Asia Pacific / Politics Jun 3, 2021
Revival of lab leak theory risks making U.S.-China relations worse
The probe comes at a sensitive time in U.S.-China relations, with both governments showing signs they want to move beyond the vitriol of Donald Trump’s presidency.
World May 31, 2021
Find origin of COVID-19 or face another pandemic, U.S. experts warn
The world needs the cooperation of the Chinese government to trace the origins of COVID-19 and prevent future pandemic threats, two leading U.S. disease experts said.
World May 27, 2021
Biden renews COVID-19 origin probe that’s so far come up empty
by Josh Wingrove and Kristen V. Brown
After more than a year hunting for the pandemic’s mysterious origins, it’s unclear what new resources American spies may bring to the search.
World May 25, 2021
U.S. agencies examine reports of early COVID-19 infections at Wuhan lab
Government sources cautioned that there is still no proof the disease originated at the lab.
Asia Pacific May 24, 2021
Wuhan lab staff sought hospital care before COVID-19 outbreak disclosed, report claims
A U.S. intelligence report cited by the Wall Street Journal may add weight to calls for a broader probe of whether the COVID-19 virus could have escaped from the laboratory.
World Mar 31, 2021
WHO chief faults COVID-19 report for dismissing lab leak theory
by Thomas Mulier and Corinne Gretler
A group of more than a dozen nations, including Japan and the U.S., issued a joint statement saying the mission’s report lacked sufficient access.
World Mar 30, 2021
COVID-19 origin study points to bats and animal hosts as pathway
The hunt for the virus’s origin has been shrouded in controversy since the start of the pandemic, with China criticized for delaying access to scientists.