ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Coronavirus

US lawsuits seek to pin coronavirus blame on China

Allegations of negligence raise legal questions about responsibility

Although the lawsuits filed in the U.S. press for China's accountability, issues of national responsibility are often resolved through diplomatic means. (Montage of photos by Masayuki Terazawa and Taro Yokosawa)

TOKYO -- On March 12, as the coronavirus pandemic began disrupting daily life across the U.S., a Florida attorney filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Chinese government, accusing it of a slow early response that caused "injury and incalculable harm" to people and businesses.

"China President Xi Jinping originally stated that he directed officials to contain the virus on Jan.7," the attorney wrote. "But it has since emerged that he did not do that, and that he actually waited until Jan. 22 to do direct containment, and still did not make any efforts public until it was too late."

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more