Mike Pompeo targets China again over coronavirus but welcomes medical supplies

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo again targeted China over COVID-19 saying United States “strongly believe” Beijing did t report coronavirus outbreak in a timely manner to World Health Organisation (WHO). During a news briefing, Pompeo said that it was an obligation for China to tify WHO of any unusual or unexpected public health events such as SARS.

top diplomat accused China of covering dangerous nature of disease and t reporting sustained human-to-human transmission until it was spread in every province of China. He also added that China t only halted testing of new samples but also destroyed existing samples.

However, Pompeo welcomed China’s provision of essential medical supplies exposing US' reliance on Beijing for it. He said that United States is counting on China to continue to live up to its contractual obligations and international obligations to provide assistance.

“ good news is we have seen China provide those resources; sometimes y’re from U.S. companies that are re in China, but we’ve had success...We appreciate that” he added. 

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US-China relation has turned even more bitter after virus outbreak with accusations flying thick and fast. US state of Missouri has even filed a civil lawsuit against China seeking an unspecified amount in reparations for dam. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement Chinese government lied to world about danger and contagious nature of COVID-19.

Read: Donald Trump Instructs US Navy To Destroy Any Iranian Vessel Harassing American Ships

'Groundless accusations'

Meanwhile, China’s ambassador to United States has taken a veiled swipe at US President Donald Trump for making “groundless accusations” and igring scientific expertise. Speaking at a webcast event, Ambassador Cui Tiankai said that some politicians are so preoccupied in ir efforts for stigmatisation and groundless accusations that y pay little attention to views of scientists.

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Read: US State Of Missouri Sues China Over Its Handling Of Coronavirus Outbreak

(Im Credit: AP)