7月17日，中国网民再次发布公开信并委托媒体发起联署倡议，希望更多人向世卫组织发出呼吁，在下阶段的新冠病毒溯源工作中对德特里克堡以及其他存在泄漏隐患的美国病毒实验室进行调查。

对此，赵立坚在19日外交部例行记者会上表示，“这些民众、媒体自发的行动，实际是问出了国际社会长期无法得到回答的问题，而美方一些人始终讳莫如深。” 之后，赵立坚请美方回答：“美方为何至今还不邀请世卫组织赴美彻查德堡？在溯源问题上，中国去得，美国为什么去不得？（Why hasn't the US invited the WHO in for an investigation into Fort Detrick? Why can't origins study be conducted in the US just as in China?）”

赵立坚完整回应：

 
图源：外交部网站

“我注意到有关报道。截至今天下午三点，超过75万的网民参与了联署，呼吁彻查美国德特里克堡生物实验室，以便搞清楚新冠病毒的真相。此时此刻，参与签名联署的人数正在快速增长。我还注意到，针对下一阶段病毒溯源最该去哪里，环球网也发起了网络民调。目前已有超过九成的受访者认为下一步应赴美国开展溯源研究，建议大家去看看。

I noted relevant reports. As of 3 p.m. today, over 750,000 Chinese netizens have signed the letter, calling for a thorough probe into Fort Detrick lab to find the truth of coronavirus. The number of co-signers is soaring as we speak. I also noted that huanqiu.com conducted an online survey about where the next-stage investigation should be. Over 90 percent of the respondents believed the next-phase investigation should be carried out in the US. You may have a look at that.

这些民众、媒体自发的行动，实际是问出了国际社会长期无法得到回答的问题，而美方一些人始终讳莫如深。请美方回答几个问题：德特里克堡生物实验室同“电子烟疾病”等不明原因呼吸系统疾病到底有何关联？美方为何至今还不邀请世卫组织赴美彻查德堡？在溯源问题上，中国去得，美国为什么去不得？美方应展现透明，有问必答，回应外界关切。

These actions initiated by the public and media in fact have raised those questions long hovering over the mind of all, which the US has kept in dark. Here are questions for the US to answer: What is the link between Fort Detrick and the unexplained outbreaks of respiratory disease including EVALI? Why hasn't the US invited the WHO in for an investigation into Fort Detrick? Why can't origins study be conducted in the US just as in China? The US should show transparency and tell as much as they know about all the questions and respond to the concerns of the outside world.

近期54个国家就溯源问题向世卫组织总干事致函呼吁，坚持科学溯源，反对政治操弄。病毒溯源是一项科学任务，要靠科学家在全球范围内多点多地进行考察研究。任何出于一己私利，背弃科学和真理，甚至鼓吹“情报溯源”、威胁、打压专家学者的行径，只会严重干扰和破坏全球抗疫合作，只会激起国际社会的强烈不满和反对，绝不会得逞。

In recent days, 54 countries sent a letter to the WHO Director General on the issue of origin-tracing, stressing the importance of adopting science-based approach and rejecting political manipulation. Origin-tracing is a scientific matter, the second phase of which requires study in multiple places around the world by scientists. Any attempt to peddle intelligence-led origin-tracing in disregard of science and truth, and coerce experts and scholars in pursuit of one's selfish interests will only disrupt global anti-epidemic cooperation, meet with strong opposition from the international community, and lead to nowhere.

民意不可违，人心不可欺。美方企图搞政治操弄、向中国甩锅推责，这早已路人皆知。美方应正视包括中国人民在内的国际社会的呼声，对公开信和网络民调内容作出令人满意的交代。”

Nothing will prevail over the will of the people. It has long been known to all that the US is trying to engage in political manipulation and shift blame to China. The US should heed the calls of the Chinese people and the rest of the international community, and respond squarely to the open letter and the online poll.

综合来源：新华网，外交部网站