China defends virus response, attacks US criticism

China's foreign ministry on Thursday criticised American politicians over the coronavirus outbreak and said that China has always released information in a "timely manner".

"We have said many times that to stigmatize, blame and shift responsibility to others cannot make up for lost time," said Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a news briefing.

"Continuing to lie will only waste more time and cause more loss of life", she added.

The comments on the heels of a Bloomberg story that said a U.S. intelligence report had concluded that China had concealed the extent of the coronavirus outbreak within its borders.

Since the virus began hitting the U.S., President Donald Trump and his top aides, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, had been increasingly criticized China.

Hua said that "The words and actions of individual American politicians are really despicable and immoral" and that the U.S should put the safety of people above politics

"It is the WHO and experts in epidemiology or disease control who are the most qualified to comment, rather than individual politicians telling only lies", she added.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.