China condemns US practice of stigmatization with novel coronavirus

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China condemns U.S. despicable practice of stigmatizing the country and its city of Wuhan with the novel coronavirus, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press conference when asked to comment on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling the virus "the Wuhan coronavirus".

Geng said despite the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially named this type of coronavirus, certain American politician, disrespecting science and the WHO decision, lost no time in stigmatizing China and Wuhan city. "We condemn this despicable practice."

When responding to Pompeo's remarks smearing China's sharing of information about the coronavirus epidemic, Geng said since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has been timely providing updated epidemic information to the WHO and countries and regions including the United States in an open, transparent and responsible manner.

"We have shared with them the genetic sequencing of the novel coronavirus, actively responded to all parties' concerns and strengthened international cooperation," Geng said.

The international community has already had a clear consensus that China has bought time and made positive contributions to the fight against the epidemic worldwide, Geng said.

"Pompeo's attempt to smear China's efforts to contain the epidemic will not succeed," Geng said.