Johnson government furious at China over COVID-19 cover-up

UK media quoted on Sunday three government officials who warned that China is spreading disinformation about the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in its country. Officials added the government is furious with China’s handling of the virus, and that Beijing faces a “reckoning” once the crisis is over.
Scientists have reportedly warned prime minister Boris Johnson that China could have downplayed its number of cases of the virus “by a factor of 15 to 40 times”. The officials also believe China is trying to expand its economic power through offering help to other countries which are currently trying to combat the virus.
The government’s anger could prompt Johnson to abandon his decision to let Chinese telecom company Huawei develop the UK’s 5g mobile phone network, officials added. In January, the UK decided to let Huawei play a limited role in building the country’s 5G networks, denying he United States’ efforts to ban the tech giant.
With more than 19,000 infections and at least 1,228 deaths, the UK has imposed a strict lockdown, telling people to only leave their homes for essential reasons. Johnson himself last week tested positive for the virus. “But we are making the right preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal”, he said.