China Marks Five Years Since First Known COVID-19 Death Without Official Commemoration

The anniversary passes quietly as questions about the origins of the virus and the pandemic's impact remain unresolved.

January 11, 2025, marks five years since the first officially reported COVID-19 death in Wuhan, China, which preceded a global pandemic that claimed over seven million lives worldwide.
China did not hold official commemorations, and public discussion of the pandemic remains tightly controlled by the government, reflecting its sensitive nature within the country.
The origins of the virus continue to be debated, with theories ranging from animal transmission at Wuhan's seafood market to a potential laboratory leak, though no definitive conclusion has been reached.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and international scientists have faced challenges in investigating the virus's origins, citing limited cooperation and transparency from Chinese authorities.
While the pandemic reshaped global life and governance, China has been criticized for its early handling of the outbreak and accused of suppressing information about the virus's initial spread.