Reader TTS

Eyebrows have been raised across the world at the official figures for cases and deaths in the massive country, which has a population of more than 1.4 billion, where the coronavirus

outbreak started. Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Centre, which keeps a running total of worldwide confirmed cases, puts China's official tally at 83,958, with an

overall death toll of 4,637. Of these, 4,512 occurred in Hubei province, location of Wuhan, the city where the disease was first identified at the end of last year. Great Big Lockdown

Survey: Tell us what life's like for you by answering THESE questions In Shanghai, China's financial heart, with a metropolitan population of 34 million, there are officially fewer

than 652 cases - and seven deaths. Professor Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), is one of many who is highly sceptical. He

added: "Part of the reason why figures seem low applies everywhere, not just China. "It's very difficult to tell what is going on in the community. BACK EXPRESS.CO.UK'S

NHS HEROES CAMPAIGN "Therefore figures are likely to be a lot higher than initially reported. "One of the problems was they were caught by surprise by this. "The situation in

Wuhan at the start was complete and utter chaos." However, he added: "Shanghai was probably better prepared than a lot of places in the country. READ MORE: BREXIT PREDICTION:

ECONOMISTS EXPECT 'BARE BONES' EU TRADE AGREEMENT "The fact that a nine-member committee appointed to oversee the operation contained two people responsible for propaganda is

highly indicative." Looking ahead, he said the Chinese Government would now seek ways of turning the situation to its advantage. He said: "The strategy is now to take control of

the narrative and that is what they have been doing. "The key moment was when cases and deaths in Italy began to outstrip those of China. "At that point, they began contrasting the

situation in Western democracies with the situation domestically. "Already there have been instances of students studying overseas returning to China because they believe it is

safer." Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump claimed China could have stopped the coronavirus, and said his administration was conducting "serious investigations"

into what happened. He added: "We believe it could have been stopped at the source. It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world." Chinese

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang responded by telling reporters in Beijing US politicians were trying to deflect attention away from themselves. He said: "Attempts to shift the

blame on China will not denigrate China's efforts in responding to the virus."