In Covid-19: The Birth of a Killer, Dr. Jonathan S. Swift masterfully unravels the tangled web of political intrigue, scientific mishaps, and personal ambitions that led to one of the most devastating events of our time—an accidental release of a newly-produced deadly airborne virus from the Wuhan Biological Weapons Research Facility, within the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Unlike many books written about Covid-19, Dr Swift's book does not detail the effects of the outbreak, but instead focuses on who was responsible for the development of the virus, why was it developed, and how did it leak into the wider world? The gripping narrative plunges readers into the heart of a global catastrophe, weaving a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, and illustrating the dangers of the power of unaccountable politicians meddling in biowarfare as a means of countering the growing 'perfect storm' of politico-economic and socio-military threats to their position. The novel suggests that, when such people have virtually unlimited power, and when there are no checks and balances on their behaviour such as from a free press, they pose a danger not only to themselves and their country, but to the very existence of humanity.
The tale begins with a catastrophic lab accident, as a consequence of which, the newly-produced bioweapon based on the Sars virus, leaks into the research Facility; from here, a combination of poor safety procedures, sub-standard construction materials, it leaks outside the Facility, into the city of Wuhan, and from there to the wider world. The rest is history.
Following the dramatic opening chapter, the novel goes back one year, to a pivotal meeting attended by a series of senior politicians, military officers and advisors, during the course of which Zhong Long Wei, the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and Leader of China, reveals to his astonished audience the extent of the politico-economic dangers faced by China. Over the past decades, China's rise to power has been met with increasing obstruction from the West, particularly the United States, and Dr. Swift explores this dynamic, illustrating how China feels cornered, fearing the loss of economic development due to political pressure, economic sanctions, and growing African resistance to Chinese exploitation of mineral resources. The potential loss of access to these vital raw materials poses a severe economic threat, potentially leading to internal unrest, particularly within the Chinese Armed Forces. Civil disobedience fuelled by dissatisfaction over pollution and contaminated food harks back to the Tiananmen Square protests, underscoring the fragility of China's socio-political fabric. Discussions about economic challenges in Africa, political dissent in Hong Kong, and threats posed by Taiwan underscore the strategic planning needed to navigate these multifaceted issues. Zhong instructed each delegate to speak with their respective subordinates and then report back on how their organisation might best help prevent the forthcoming doom-laden scenario. The Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Forces highlight their operational constraints, emphasizing the dire need for resources, and confirming that they can do little to prevent imminent economic collapse, with accompanying socio-political break-down of the well-ordered Chinese society.The Strategic Support Force's critique of the Defence Force's inadequacy underscores a sense of powerlessness in tackling the national predicament, setting the stage for critical decisions. Dr. Swift intricately details the complexity of handling these problems delicately, such as avoiding heavy-handed approaches to prevent incidents reminiscent of Tiananmen Square. Concerns about North Korea's missile development, Russia's actions in Eastern Europe, and China's expanding influence in Africa add to the tension.
The author skilfully navigates the labyrinthine corridors of Chinese political power, spotlighting key figures such as General Secretary Zhong Long Wei and Minister of National Defence Huang Bin Wei. These characters, caught in the crossfire of power struggles and personal vendettas, must navigate the treacherous waters of military control and political authority. The story's tension is palpable as Dr. Swift exposes the vulnerabilities within a system marked by secrecy and corruption. Through vivid character portrayals like Li Yang and Do Wang Xiu, readers witness the clash between tradition and modernity, personal ambition and collective welfare. Each new character introduction adds another layer of complexity to the plot, heightening the stakes and revealing the intricate power dynamics at play within the Chinese political landscape.
Amidst these global tensions, the narrative delves into China's potential biowarfare capabilities. Concerns raised by officials about China's biological research possibly being used for offensive purposes mirror historical war philosophies. These discussions lead to reflections on nuclear engagements, malarial complexities, and the economic implications of viral outbreaks, highlighting the multifaceted threats China faces. Internal deliberations on military responses, strategic priorities, and health risks underscore the complex challenges China navigates, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to foster stability and resilience.
The narrative introduces an intriguing dialogue between the President of the United States Nicholson, and his Secretary of State, delving into the growing threats to Chinese stability, including civil disobedience in Hong Kong, corruption, and pollution crises. This dialogue highlights the delicate balance of diplomatic strategies and global security threats, showcasing the interconnected nature of international relations in a politically charged environment. The Secretary of State points out to the President that far from celebrating the potential economic demise of China, the US should be worried, as the country has a range of biological weapons, and if it feels sufficiently cornered, might feel that it has no option but to use them.
Dr. Swift's portrayal of the internal Chinese military discussions is both detailed and chilling. The potential scenario of a massive increase in health expenditure leading to economic repercussions such as unemployment and civil unrest is explored with stark realism. The narrative sheds light on vaccine development efforts at Fort Detrick in the USA and Porton Down in the UK, to counter potential biothreats, emphasizing the Chinese research on coronaviruses transmitted from bats. Through meticulous explanations of viral mechanics, including entry, replication, and potential lethal impacts, Dr. Swift adds a layer of understanding to the complexities of viral infections.
A later meeting in The Oval Office in the White House, underscores the strategic importance of the USA's Fort Detrick's research in safeguarding national security against biological threats. The dialogue between US President Nicholson, Fort Detrick representatives, and key officials showcases the meticulous planning required to address potential biosecurity challenges effectively. The narrative dives into virus identification, mutation, and cross-species transmission, underscoring the gravity of ongoing research efforts in addressing evolving viral threats and enhancing national preparedness against potential biological warfare.
As the plot unfolds, the narrative shifts back to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Detailed descriptions of research on various viruses and vaccines showcase the extensive work being done at the facility. There is also the suggestion that, as traditional methods appear incapable of solving China's economic problems, some unscrupulous members of the CCP have authorised the development of a bioweapon based on the coronavirus strain: the excuse the scientists responsible for its' development are given is that it has to be manufactured in order to counter the threat posed by the USA which has already produced similar weapons. The story delves into the dynamics of power, secrecy, and deceit within the realms of national security and government operations. The excuse presented to the Chinese bio-scientists is that they have to be prepared to counter the threat from US bio-weapons research, which already has such weapons and intends to release them off the coast of North Korea, from where the virus will be carried inland. This false intelligence is fed to a pro-Communist US media outlet, by a Chinese spy based in Maryland, USA. Despite this claim being utterly false, the Chinese scientists have no means of independently verifying this claim, and are forced to take it at face value.
The decision to proceed with the development of a weaponized version of the Coronavirus, spearheaded by Chairman Zhong, underscores the story's chilling realism. Military personnel are tasked with its development, utilizing existing facilities in Wuhan and Guangzhou to avoid extra costs, and are instructed to sub-contract the work to a civilian builder from Beijing, who can provide plausible deniability to the Chinese politico-military involvement. Unbeknown to the Chinese military, the builder hired for this mysterious project at the Wuhan Virology Institute happens to be paid to provide low-grade intelligence to the Japanese secret services, the representative of which is based in the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. The builder passes on this information to his Japanese handler, and in view of the activities at Wuhan, raises suspicions of bioweapon development, with decoded transmissions prompting further investigation by intelligence officials.
Whilst China is engaged in the production of a bioweapon, the Taiwanese Secret Service – the NSB- discusses American inquiries about China's viral warfare capabilities, signalling the importance of intelligence sharing. Personal backgrounds and motivations of key figures like General Wang and Colonel Chow add depth to the intricate web of global intelligence and security operations.
A poignant subplot involves a Taiwanese spy who has been employed at the Wuhan Institute for some months, who is instructed to find out all he can about the suspected bioweapons programme. Meanwhile, in Wuhan, a Taiwanese spy unmasked during a security check faces imminent capture, his composed demeanor masking a bitter anticipation of his fate – he commits suicide rather than face brutal interrogation by the Chinese Security Services.The narrative threads a tapestry of cloak-and-dagger intrigue and high-stakes subterfuge, where governmental duplicity and covert agendas reign supreme. The narrative intricately weaves together the themes of loyalty and betrayal, as characters like Colonel Dai, General Zhao, and the Japanese spy navigate the treacherous waters of covert operations and surveillance tactics. As the tension mounts, the narrative shifts to Japan, where a police captain's fishing trip is interrupted by urgent calls from Tokyo. This subplot hints at the complex web of intrigue and covert operations intertwining across borders.
In a high-stakes narrative unfolding across undisclosed locations, the tragic demise of Dr. Wang marks a gripping turn filled with espionage, treachery, and secret alliances. The complexities of Colonel Yin's arrest and the unsettling possibility of a traitor within the ranks of the Taiwanese Secret Service add layers of intrigue and suspense. Meanwhile, General Zhang, Head of the Wuhan Facility, faces mounting pressure from his political masters to accelerate the project involving weaponized viruses, while whispers of spies and covert operations swirl around him.
The unsuspecting Chinese builder in Wuhan is betrayed and brutally interrogated – but can tell the authorities nothing, other than he has been paid by a Korean employee of a car manufacturer to provide intelligence on the developments within the Wuhan Facility – the reason given was that the Facility was being given a 'face-lift' prior to being sold, and the Koreans wanted to know everything so they would be in an advantageous position when it came to making a bid. The Facility authorities decide, rather than simply executing the builder, he can be used to provide mis-information to his masters, suggesting that there are only minor modifications being carried out – and to give the impression that it part of a more wider 'regeneration' programme of Chinese official buildings. The information is duly passed on to Japanese Intelligence, who share this with their allies. However, at the last minute, the Japanese intelligence operative, realise the Double-Cross nature of the information received, and rather than attempt to contact Tokyo directly for fear that Chinese electronic surveillance would intercept his transmission, he makes an unscheduled flight to Tokyo to deliver crucial information to CIRO, the Japanese Intelligence Service.
"Covid-19: The Birth of a Killer" masterfully navigates through interconnected characters and intricate power dynamics within the Wuhan Institute, the Korean and Taiwanese Security Services, and the US response. The intricate plot, interrogations, and shocking revelations implicating high-level officials create an atmosphere of escalating suspense. Dr. Swift's narrative intricately weaves a tale of betrayal, espionage, and the high stakes of uncovering covert operations within the shadows of power and authority.
Dr. Jonathan S. Swift's "Covid-19: The Birth of a Killer" is a thought-provoking exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the high stakes of scientific discovery gone awry. With meticulous attention to detail and a gripping narrative style, Dr. Swift immerses readers in a world teetering on the brink of disaster. This is a tale where personal vendettas and political manoeuvring set the stage for a catastrophic chain of events, painting a vivid picture of a society grappling with the consequences of unchecked power and hidden agendas; all of which contribute to the dangerously – poor safety standards for an illegally-weaponised virus.
