China slams US for spreading fear over new coronavirus

China on Monday criticized the U.S. for spreading fear in the wake of new coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan city last December.

“Some countries, the U.S. in particular, have inappropriately overreacted, which certainly runs counter to the World Health Organization's advice,” Hua said, adding that many countries applauded China for its efforts to stop the spread of the latest coronavirus.

The novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, has killed 361 people and infected over 17,200 people in China so far. Outside China, only one death was confirmed in the Philippines.

“The U.S. government has not provided any substantial assistance to us, but it was the first to evacuate personnel from its consulate in Wuhan, the first to suggest partial withdrawal of its embassy staff, and the first to impose a travel ban on Chinese travelers,” the official said.

“All the U.S. has done is to create and spread fear, which is a bad example.”

The outbreak has sparked panic across the globe with infections confirmed in countries, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, France, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Nepal, and Canada.

Travelers from China are being screened at airports worldwide and several airlines have suspended flights to Wuhan.

“Canada believes the entry ban has no basis, which is a sharp contrast to the U.S.' behavior,” said the Chinese spokeswoman.

Japan, South Korea, U.S., Australia, Pakistan, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, and Turkey evacuated their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the deadly virus.