China has imposed restrictions on the publication of academic articles on the origins of coronavirus, according to an already deleted government announcement, published on the websites of two Chinese universities.
Under this new policy, all academic work on Covid-19 will be subject to additional observation before it is submitted for publication. Studies on the origin of coronavirus will receive additional control and will be approved by local government officials.
A medical expert in Hong Kong, who collaborated with other researchers on the clinical analysis of cases with Covid-19, told CNN that in February his work was not subject to additional control.
Since the end of January, Chinese researchers have published a series of studies in influential national and international journals. Some studies certainly question the government and Chinese officials, which has certainly sparked controversy on social media.
A researcher, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of government retaliation, told CNN that the move is worrying and could hamper important scientific research.
"I think it's a coordinated effort by the Chinese government to control the narrative and say that the [coronavirus] eruption has no origin in China," the researcher said. "I don't think they will tolerate an objective study to investigate the origin of the disease."
Source: CNN
