HoytRaymond

I would argue the exact opposite: the lab leak theory is intentionally downplayed to protect China/relations with China.

There are a lot of coincidences that make a lab leak a real possibility. It is possible those are all coincidences and the virus is of natural origin, but it is also possible that those are not coincidences and the virus originates from a lab leak.

Most likely we will never know since virus origin investigations are difficult to begin with, and China has no motivation to fairly cooperate in this investigation. It also is not actually important, since it is extremely unlikely the virus was intentionally released.

For political reasons it is better to go with the natural origin story and avoid stirring things up - there is no gain to be had from pressing the issue.