Leaked US report claims China downplayed outbreak while buying up medical supplies Xi Jinping wearing a face mask

US officials believe that China “intentionally concealed the severity” of the pandemic, a leaked report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says, according to news agency AP.

The Trump administration has stepped up its criticism of China in recent days, with both the president and Secretary of State Pompeo directly condemning Beijing.

The DHS paper says China increased imports and cut back exports of medical supplies, while downplaying the severity of the outbreak.

The report is also cited as saying China didn’t inform the World Health Organization properly in January so it could order medical supplies from abroad.