The Covid-19 virus might have originated in a place outside China, such as Southeast Asian countries, Chinese state-backed media Global Times claimed.

Genome of virus "similar" to Malayan pangolin

The hawkish media outlet made the connection after citing research by a team led by Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The research concluded that the full genome of the virus is "96 per cent similar to a viral sequence reported from horseshoe bats", before saying "closely related sequences were also identified in Malayan pangolins".

The article went on to say that therefore, "the possibility cannot be ruled out that the novel coronavirus may have come from outside China, such as Southeast Asian countries".

It ended by saying "horseshoe bats also live in these countries".

Source of Covid-19 outbreak in Beijing possibly from Europe, casting "doubt" on origin of Wuhan outbreak

Prior to making the connection, the article cited "evidence" from preliminary investigations that shows the source of infection in Beijing's new Covid-19 outbreak points is Europe.

The discovery then "seemingly cast new doubt over the origins of the Covid-19 epidemic".

Global Times then cited "netizens and experts" who speculated the outbreak that happened in Wuhan's Huanan Seafood market might also be related to "imported food or animals".

It wrote: "Some experts reached by the Global Times on Monday also said that the possibility cannot be ruled out."

Beijing imposing lockdown again

Previously, the source of the Covid-19 discovered at Xinfadi market in Beijing was found on a chopping board for imported salmon.

The Chinese capital has reported 100 new cases, sparking fears of a new wave of infections.

After three people were confirmed to be infected with the virus, the city went into lockdown after spending 56 days free from Covid-19.

According to The Guardian, more neighbourhoods were placed under lockdown on Tuesday, June 16, and security checkpoints were set up at residential complexes.

High-risk people, such as the close contacts of those who tested positive for the virus, could no longer leave the city.

Beijing authorities have described the new outbreak as "extremely severe".

State media saying virus came from Europe

Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told the English-language arm of Chinese state broadcaster CGTN that the newly-discovered virus strain is "the major epidemic strain in European countries".

"So it is from outside China brought to Beijing," he said.

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