There are 3 options. Well, 4 if you think this was organic. But, I immediately cross that off.
1. Incompetence
2. The Chinese purposely let it out
3. Someone(s) else arranged for it to be released to look like it came from China at the perfect time of Chinese New Year, knowing it would be dispersed all over the world by travelling Chinese.
My money is on #3.
...
Perhaps 4.
Complicit ChiComs ...released for them and they benefit by shutting down Hong Kong protests and it gets tested for them...Iran has to be involved also as some trading was going on, which is how they were affected, too.
Good thinking.
What about payback for the new deal Trump got them to the table to sign?
My money is on: 2,3,and 4.