The Chinese government used an ‘aggressive’ influence campaign on the World Health Organisation’s response to the initial Covid outbreak which led to it missing its chance to stop the pandemic, it has been claimed.
An investigation by The Sunday Times has revealed efforts by Beijing to control the agency’s decision making, sabotage investigations and even install officials.
Its report claims that the health body’s independence had been eroded prior to the global spread of the deadly virus in early 2020.
The publication claims the WHO failed to publicly challenge Chinese misinformation, delayed declaring an international emergency, and discouraged governments from placing travel bans on China to protect its economy.
It has also been suggested officials agreed a ‘backroom deal’ with the Chinese to water down the inquiry into the origins of Covid-19.