China spreading ‘propaganda’

TOKYO: Japan’s annual defence review accuses China of pushing its territorial claims amid the coronavirus pandemic and suspects Beijing of spreading propaganda and disinformation as it provides medical aid to nations fighting Covid19.

China ‘‘is continuing to attempt to alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea’’, Japan said in the defence white paper approved by the Government yesterday.

The white paper described ‘‘relentless’’ intrusions in waters around a group of islets claimed by both nations in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China.

It said Beijing was establishing administrative districts around disputed islands, forcing countries distracted by the coronavirus outbreak to respond.

Japan’s criticism of China echoes similar comments made by the United States as Beijing and Washington conduct separate military drills in the South China Sea and relations between them deteriorate.

Beijing insists its intentions in the waterway are peaceful.

Japan sees China as a longerterm and more serious threat than nucleararmed North Korea. Beijing now spends four times as much as Tokyo on defence as it builds a large modern military.

Japan’s defence review also claimed China appeared to be responsible for ‘‘propaganda’’ and ‘‘disinformation’’ amid ‘‘social uncertainties and confusion’’ caused by the pandemic.

This included online claims that the coronavirus was brought to China by a US military member, and that Chinese herbal remedies could treat Covid19, a defence ministry official said. — Reuters