The tension between the US and China has intensified after President Xi Jinping’s deputy hit back at President Donald Trump‘s demands for compensation. China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng compared the demand for coronavirus reparations from China to “blackmail”. He insisted that Beijing would not pay up for any damages to that countries have suffered from the virus which originated in Wuhan late last year.

The Chinese official described the pandemic as a “natural disaster” and went on to say Beijing cannot be held financially liable for COVID-19.

Mr Le said: “Asking China to make reparations for these kinds of claims – they have no legal basis.

“There is no international law that supports blaming a country for simply being the first to report a disease.”

He also refuted claims that China covered up the severity of the virus. 

Following his remarks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo fired back, insisting China was “responsible” for the virus’ widespread impact.

He told reporters that he was reassured that other countries, including Australia, are also launching investigations into China’s handling of coronavirus.

Questioned about Mr Le’s interview, Mr Pompeo dismissed it as “classic communist disinformation”.

He continued: “This is what communists do. The Chinese people were harmed by this too.

“We know that this virus started in Wuhan, China. The Chinese Communist Party now has the responsibility to tell the world how this pandemic got out of China and all across the world, causing such global economic devastation.”