A Chinese court has formally accepted a defamation case filed by local authorities and scientific institutions against the US state of Missouri and several of its current and former attorneys general. The Wuhan Intermediate People's Court in central Hubei province will hear the case, which was jointly brought by the Wuhan municipal government, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and Beijing's Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The plaintiffs allege that the state of Missouri, alongside former Attorneys General Eric Schmitt, Andrew Bailey, and current Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, orchestrated, promoted, and carried out "malicious and abusive litigation" in the US. They claim the defendants fabricated and disseminated false information, making "stigmatizing and discriminatory remarks" that severely infringed upon the plaintiffs' reputation rights and caused significant financial losses.
The filing states that the defendants' actions resulted in severe infringement of the plaintiffs' reputation rights and significant financial losses. The Missouri attorney general's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Chinese side is demanding a formal public apology, the restoration of the plaintiffs' reputation, and compensation for damages.
According to reports, the Chinese parties are seeking 356.44 billion yuan ($53.44 billion) in compensation. This lawsuit is the latest development in an ongoing back-and-forth between the two parties. In April 2020, Missouri filed a lawsuit against Hubei and other Chinese defendants, seeking to hold them responsible for alleged economic damages stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chinese lawsuit is an attempt to counter allegations made by the US that China was responsible for the pandemic. The US has accused China of not being transparent about the outbreak and not doing enough to contain it. China has denied these allegations, saying it has been transparent and cooperative.
The outcome of the case is uncertain, but it has significant implications for international relations and global cooperation on public health issues. The case highlights the challenges of navigating complex international disputes and the need for countries to work together to address global challenges.
Key points
- The Wuhan Intermediate People's Court has formally accepted the defamation case filed by Chinese authorities and scientific institutions against the US state of Missouri.
- The plaintiffs are seeking a formal public apology, restoration of their reputation, and compensation for damages totaling 356.44 billion yuan ($53.44 billion).
- The case is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the US and China over allegations of responsibility for the coronavirus pandemic.
