China is placing blame on the U.S. for the COVID-19 outbreak’s origin, accusing Washington of shirking responsibility as former President Donald Trump repeatedly stated the virus originated from a Wuhan lab.

In a lengthy document, the Chinese government claims the virus was present in the U.S. earlier than officially recognized.

“The US should stop blaming others and dodging responsibility, cease seeking external justifications for internal problems, and genuinely consider and improve its public health strategies,” the document asserts. “The US cannot continue to ignore the many questions surrounding its actions.”

Digital has contacted the White House for comment.

This paper follows the White House’s recent update to its , which aims to reveal the “true origins” of the disease.

The website, previously focused on promoting COVID-19 vaccines, now presents evidence supporting the lab leak theory. It highlights Anthony Fauci’s initial promotion of the natural origin theory, a hypothetical pardon from former President for Fauci regarding potential offenses against the U.S., and details about the origins of social distancing and mask mandates.

The updated site points out that a specific biological characteristic of the virus is not found in nature, reinforcing the lab-leak theory. It also notes that Wuhan, the city where the first cases emerged, houses China’s “leading SARS research lab,” adding that “if there was evidence of a natural origin it would have already surfaced. But it hasn’t.”

A 2025 CIA report from the Trump administration suggested a lab leak as a potential origin, an idea initially dismissed by media and scientists as a conspiracy theory.

However, China’s paper references a joint study with the World Health Organization (WHO) that indicated the virus likely spread from bats to humans through an intermediary animal.

The report also faults the U.S. for its handling of the pandemic.

“The US’s slow and ineffective response in the early stages of the pandemic set a terrible example for the international community, making the US’s pandemic response the worst globally,” Chinese officials wrote. “Instead of honestly addressing this issue and acknowledging its failings, the US government has attempted to shift blame and divert attention by shamelessly politicizing the investigation into the origins of SARS-CoV-2.”

“The US cannot continue to turn a deaf ear to the numerous questions over its conduct,” the report reiterated.

Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report.

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