U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in China

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. March 16, 2020

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Secretary Pompeo’s Call with People’s Republic of China Politburo Member Yang Jiechi

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke by phone on March 16 with Yang Jiechi, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China. Secretary Pompeo conveyed strong U.S. objections to PRC efforts to shift blame for COVID-19 to the United States. The Secretary stressed that this is not the time to spread disinformation and outlandish rumors, but rather a time for all nations to come together to fight this common threat.