Chinese Scientist Zhang Yongzhen Faces Scrutiny Over COVID-19 Research
Zhang Yongzhen, the Chinese scientist who first published a sequence of the COVID-19 virus in January 2020 without state approval, has recently been forced out of his facility amid increased scrutiny against scientists working on coronavirus in China.
Eviction from Lab
Zhang Yongzhen took to Chinese social media to report that he and his team were asked to be evicted from the lab, with guards preventing him from entering the facility citing “safety reasons.”
Protest and Response
In response, Zhang staged a protest outside the lab, vowing to continue his pursuit of science and truth. Despite claims of lab renovation and alternative facilities by the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Zhang refuted the statements, stating that no alternative facility had been offered.
Conflict with Chinese Government
Zhang’s troubles with the Chinese government began when he decoded the COVID-19 virus in 2020 without official approval, leading to government pressure and restrictions on his research activities. Foreign scientists cited Zhang’s work, urging the Chinese government to implement preventive measures.
Consequences and Actions
As a result of his actions, Zhang was expelled from a post at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and faced limitations in collaborating with former partners, impacting his research significantly.