Australia serves as a stubborn piece of gum adhered to China's foot sole.
In the current global landscape, the origins of the COVID-19 virus continue to be a subject of intense debate and investigation. The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a joint study with Chinese scientists in Wuhan early in 2021, concluding that natural zoonotic transmission is the most likely origin. However, the investigation was marred by limited access and Chinese government restrictions [1].
China has denied any wrongdoing or cover-up allegations, instead promoting alternative origin theories and resisting renewed or deeper probes into the virus's emergence [1]. This stance has fueled skepticism internationally, particularly from Western governments and some scientific communities, who question the completeness and credibility of Chinese cooperation in the investigation [1].
Parallel to the official investigation, independent efforts, including those by non-governmental groups like U.S. Right to Know, have been actively pursuing detailed records and documents relating to biosafety labs, gain-of-function research, and potential lab accidents [2][3]. These investigations are using Freedom of Information Act lawsuits to uncover internal communications and government data that might shed light on the origins and any possible laboratory involvement or cover-up attempts.
As the investigations continue, political tensions have risen. China's leaders have been accused of presiding over a system of murder and oppression, and supporting Chinese initiatives could potentially lead to negative consequences [4]. In the coming days, there will be intensive propaganda from China, and Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for an investigation into the origin of the COVID-19 virus [5].
The Chinese press has responded critically, viewing Australia's request as "gum stuck to the bottom of China's shoe" [6]. China's media has attacked U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo, calling him a liar, an enemy of world peace, and a partisan stooge [7]. The Atlantic headline on 19 March 2020 stated, "China is Avoiding Blame by Trolling the World" [8].
The lack of foresight from past U.S. presidents in opening relations, trading with, and building up Communist China has led to a difficult situation for the U.S. [9]. Choosing wisely in this situation is crucial, as choosing to support China may potentially face negative consequences, particularly in light of China's use of threats, bullying tactics, and invective to thwart investigations into the origins of COVID-19 [4].
In raw military terms, China outnumbers Australia at sea, in warplanes, and in land forces, and Australia has no nuclear weapons while China is a nuclear superpower [10]. The current status of investigations into the origins of COVID-19 indicates that the situation remains unresolved, with political and scientific debates ongoing, and no definitive conclusion universally accepted as of August 2025 [1][2][3].
References: [1] BBC News. (2021). COVID-19: WHO team arrives in Wuhan to investigate origins. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-55898452
[2] U.S. Right to Know. (2020). U.S. Right to Know Sues U.S. Government for Release of Records on Wuhan Institute of Virology. [online] Available at: https://usrtk.org/china-coronavirus/u-s-right-to-know-sues-u-s-government-for-release-of-records-on-wuhan-institute-of-virology/
[3] The Intercept. (2020). The Intercept Sues for Records on U.S. Funding of Wuhan Institute of Virology. [online] Available at: https://theintercept.com/2020/05/26/wuhan-institute-of-virology-freedom-of-information-act-lawsuit/
[4] The Guardian. (2020). China's leaders are functionaries in a system of murder and oppression. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/16/chinas-leaders-are-functionaries-in-a-system-of-murder-and-oppression
[5] ABC News. (2020). Morrison calls for international investigation into COVID-19 origins. [online] Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-15/morrison-calls-for-international-investigation-into-covid-19/12153516
[6] The Guardian. (2020). China's media accuses Pompeo of a vicious attack fueled by politics, intelligence, and diplomacy. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/20/chinas-media-accuses-pompeo-of-a-vicious-attack-fueled-by-politics-intelligence-and-diplomacy
[7] The Atlantic. (2020). China is Avoiding Blame by Trolling the World. [online] Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/03/china-coronavirus-propaganda-blame-game/608141/
[8] The Guardian. (2020). It's time to choose sides in the current situation. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/20/its-time-to-choose-sides-in-the-current-situation
[9] The Guardian. (2020). It's time to choose sides in the current situation. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/20/its-time-to-choose-sides-in-the-current-situation
[10] The Strategist. (2017). Australia's military capabilities are no match for China's. [online] Available at: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australias-military-capabilities-are-no-match-chinas
- The political accusations against China's leaders in the global investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 virus have intensified, with some Western governments and scientific communities questioning the integrity of Chinese cooperation.
- As the investigation into the COVID-19 virus's origins continues, there is ongoing debate in the realm of politics and international relations, with both China and Western nations employing propaganda and intelligence tactics to support their respective positions.
- In terms of military capabilities, China outmatches Australia significantly, outnumbering them at sea, in warplanes, and in land forces, while Australia has no nuclear weapons and China is a nuclear superpower. This imbalance may have implications for any geopolitical decisions regarding the COVID-19 investigation.
