Part of this discussion has got me thinking. If I were setting up a laboratory that does research on infective diseases I would definitely set it up as a small separate company, which would then apply for a research grant from the government, rather than as a wholly-owned part of some government department/ministry. Just in case, you know, some stupid employee slipped up and caused USD 10^N damages worldwide and there were to be a legal claim against the employer.
I wonder how the Wuhan laboratory was set up, legally. I wonder how other similar laboratories around the world are set up.
Another thought: I have so many times seen people write that if COVID was the result of an accident in a laboratory then "China" would be to blame. Would people blaim "Germany" for an accident in a German laboratory? I don't think so, at least not to the same extent. People seem to subconsciously think that China is the borg, or something.