Liaison Office Slams Covid Aid 'conspiracy Theories'

The central government’s liaison office has lashed out at people who it says are spreading conspiracy theories over Beijing’s offer to help Hong Kong fight Covid-19.

In a statement issued in the early hours of Monday, the office’s spokesman said the central government had made clear it will help boost Hong Kong’s capacity in coronavirus tests, and help with the setting up of hospitals especially for Covid patients.

He noted officials from Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong also carried out a video conference last Friday to exchange experience.

But he said some people have made “all sorts of peculiar claims that makes one feel shocked and disgusted”.

The spokesman said some suggested “Hong Kong’s medical resources and manpower are sufficient and there’s no need for mainland to extend help”, “it does not fit in with Hong Kong law and professional codes” or “mainland medics cannot communicate in English” or rumours like “clinics set up by mainland institutions will spread the pandemic”.

The spokesman said people who made these claims have “ulterior motives” and are “lying to themselves and others".

The spokesman said all these claims were made with political considerations to protect their own interests.