plus it officially originated in China so it doesn’t help with the claims

This isn't true though. The origin remains officially undetermined. The Wuhan seafood market was the first reported outbreak, but it has been ruled out as the source.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/01/wuhan-seafood-market-may-not-be-source-novel-virus-spreading-globally

At this point it's "no u" or try to defend yourself against a biased media talking to a biased audience.

"No u" is much better than the alternative.

It was first identified in China because they were actively monitoring for another Sars outbreak. It's likely that it originated there, but it's not certain.