A CHILDREN'S book about coronavirus has been banned in China because it claims "the virus came from China and has spread from there all over the world."
The German storybook has been taken off the market after ruffling Beijing's feathers by citing the country as the source of the pandemic – a claim it has vehemently denied.
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The book, which title translates as "A Corona Rainbow for Anna and Moritz" was written by author Constanze Steindamm and illustrated by Dorothea Tust, and was greeted with huge controversy from across the globe.
Despite aiming to educate youngsters and provide "the most important tips for daycare centers and elementary schools on how to behave properly during coronavirus pandemic," Chinese authorities demanded publishing to be ceased.
Publishers Carlsen-Verlag, based in Hamburg, were threatened with legal action and criminal charges by the Chinese consulate.
The consulate demanded the immediate recall of the children's book and a public apology – to which Carlsen complied.
The publisher admitted it had "stopped delivery of the book" and are in the process of releasing a new edition of the tale that doesn't point the finger at China, according to DW.
Yet Carlsen made clear that the original release of the "affectionate nonfiction story" had reflected reports at the time of the origin of the virus, which was widely believed to be China.
These theories were exacerbated by former President Donald Trump's consistent referral to the "Chinese virus".
The German novel was released last summer to help children understand the changes to the climate, and was based on scientific advice from a tropical medicine institute in Hamburg.
"It was important to the publishers to offer such a book as quickly as possible in the spring of 2020 to convey these aspects in a way that is suitable for children and based on facts, providing tips for behavior in everyday life," they said.
Shi Ming, a Chinese journalist, explained that China is now backtracking as Beijing fears its global image will greatly suffer.
"In the beginning, the Chinese propaganda itself said that the disease had first started in China," he said.
"It even referred to it as 'Wuhan pneumonia.' But now, it wants to erase the memory of the virus' origins with a worldwide political correctness campaign."
The Chinese government have commenced a harsh crackdown on any anti-establishment artwork.
Ai Weiwei produced a film, Coronation, was reprimanded after debuting the stern systems put in place by Chinese authorities during lockdown in Wuhan.
China expert at the University of Basel, Ralph Weber, told DW: "The People's Republic of China is trying to control how we think and talk about China: only good stories about China should be told!"
He suggested Beijing now wants to manipulate the narrative and focus on: "how China fought the coronavirus pandemic with great efficiency."
The World Health Organisation visited Wuhan to investigate claims that it was the source of coronavirus.
The first case of coronavirus was reported to the WHO in December 2019 that was linked to a wholesale wet food market in Wuhan.
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