Commentary China knows how to curry below-the-radar favor with international political figures, bureaucrats, and opinion leaders, then, when a problem develops threatening Chinese Communist Party interests, use covert influence to stifle criticism or delay a response. The most pernicious example of Chinese covert influence in action is the World Health Organization’s failure in January and February 2020 to demand Beijing provide a full and accurate accounting of the COVID-19/Wuhan virus epidemic in China, including its origin. Instead, WHO spouted medical nostrums and accepted China’s evasions (lies). China ego-stroked WHO officials and created sympathizers by funding “research trips.” The tactic is called “elite capture.” Beijing developed a close relationship with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and supported his appointment, even though he isn’t a medical doctor. In late January 2020, Tedros was still praising “China’s commitment to transparency.” China’s elite capture of WHO gave the CCP time to deflect blame and …