GOP lawmakers propose renaming street in front of Chinese embassy after Wuhan whistleblower doctor

A group of Republican lawmakers has proposed to rename the street in front of the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., after the Wuhan-based whistleblower doctor who warned about the coronavirus outbreak.

The group, led by Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) in the House and four Republican senators, called for the road to be renamed “Li Wenliang Plaza” after the late doctor, who was threatened by the Chinese government when he tried to raise alarm about the virus. 

Cheney said in a statement that she was “honored” to introduce the House legislation that 14 other GOP members co-sponsored.

“May this serve as a constant reminder to the world and to the Chinese Government that truth and freedom will prevail, that we will not forget the bravery of Dr. Li, and that the Chinese Communist Party will be held accountable for the devastating impact of their lies,” she said.

Cheney’s co-sponsors include Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.). 

The Senate bill was introduced by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). Cotton said in a statement that renaming the street will help the world to remember Li, who warned about the virus before it caused the pandemic. 

“The Chinese Communist Party wants the world to forget Dr. Li Wenliang, who tried to warn his colleagues about the Wuhan virus and later succumbed to that very disease,” he said. “We can ensure his name is never forgotten by placing it permanently outside the embassy of the regime responsible for his persecution and death.”

Li died from COVID-19 in early 2020 as the virus began to wreak havoc in China. 

The doctor was one of eight health professionals in Wuhan who attempted to warn about the virus in December. The Chinese government responded by detaining the doctor for spreading “rumors” and he was released after signing a document saying he had spread falsehoods. 

China later exonerated and apologized to Li’s family in late March after the virus had spread worldwide, and announced the government would investigate his death.

As of Thursday afternoon, the coronavirus has infected at least 3.8 million people, killing at least 267,469, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.