This open letter reminds me of the previous so-called "open letter of scientists" that came out on March 4. Both are signed by almost the same group of people and drafted by Jamie Metzl, a former member of the White House National Security Council. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/04/07/science/virus-inquiries-pandemic-origins.html?referringSource=articleShare

The purpose of these two so-called open letters, one issued right before the WHO joint study report was to be made public and the other shortly after the report was released, is obviously to mount pressure on the WHO and the joint mission.

These signatories can deceive no one as to whether their letters are meant to make proposals for scientific & professional origin-tracing or target a specific country with presumption of guilt.

Indeed, the origin-tracing study was politically affected, not by China, but by the US & others, who politicized the issue to smear China. By questioning the independence & findings of scientists, they are undermining origin-tracing cooperation & anti-epidemic efforts.

The US bio-military activities are not transparent, safe or justified. In Ukraine alone, the US has set up 16 bio-labs. Why does the US need so many labs all over the world? What activities are carried out in those labs, including the one in Fort Detrick?

- Zhao Lijian.