Remember that china is an isolated nation which means that no information could easily go in or out in the country.
Biological weapon has started since Sars, that is why the Covid is a strain version 2. Using their own people is an intelligent move to hide their true motives.
It is the reason why there are countries who have been discriminating China that instead they are calling the virus Covid-19 or corona virus, they have been calling it chinese virus in social media like Facebook, Twitter and Reddit. Chinese government is really not showomg the full details on where is the virus came from that is why they are being victim of racism.
There are places in China that are open like the Hongkong and Singapore, its the mainland that is isolated. People had been discrimination Chinese since time, we all know the world leaders doesn't want the orients to set the pace. Its probably the reason why the Chinese are up to do great things, we've for recognized it on books.
They may have planned this virus or not but the discipline they have had pay off because their economy is almost not affected.