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Iran Traces Origins of Coronavirus Epidemic to Chinese-Backed Infrastructure Projects
(Wall Street Journal) Benoit Faucon - Iranian officials trace the origins of the country's coronavirus epidemic to a number of Chinese-backed infrastructure projects in the city of Qom built by scores of workers and technicians from China. In the face of American sanctions, "China has been the trading partner of last resort but, in this case, it has turned into a very toxic bomb," said Sanam Vakil, deputy Middle East director at Chatham House, a think tank in London. China Railway Engineering Corp. is building a $2.7 billion high-speed rail line through Qom. Chinese technicians have been helping refurbish a nuclear-power plant nearby. There are also Chinese religious students studying at Qom's seminaries.