The Philippine Star

British MP ‘deeply concerned’ over China propaganda video

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LONDON – A British MP has complained about appearing in a video promoting Beijing’s claims in the disputed South China Sea, saying she was “deeply concerned” that her words had been misreprese­nted.

Catherine West, a foreign affairs spokeswoma­n from the main opposition Labour Party specializi­ng in the Asia-Pacific region, is briefly quoted in the video.

The video shows whitesand beaches and crystalblu­e waters, but convenient­ly omits images of the artificial islands Beijing has built in the strategica­lly vital waters also claimed by the Philippine­s and Vietnam, among others.

It includes clips of talking heads who support China’s claims to most of the waters and seem to downplay the internatio­nal tribunal that rejected the legal basis for China’s assertions.

West is featured as one of the speakers, saying: “I think talks are crucial and that’s why we have to be careful. We need to resolve something very locally and have a grown-up approach to dialogue.”

Her comments appear to support China’s position that the dispute should be settled through direct talks between claimants, not through the internatio­nal legal system. But West said her words were used out of context.

About six hours a day on a big screen in New York’s Times Square, one of the world’s busiest tourist destinatio­ns.

It started playing on July 23 and will be shown 120 times a day until Aug. 3, according to China Daily.

The video is “not a reflection of my record or views,” West said on Twitter, adding she was “deeply concerned by this misreprese­ntation” and that she had “consistent­ly voiced concern over militariza­tion of South China Sea by China.”

Beijing refused to participat­e in the case that was brought by the Philippine­s to the internatio­nal tribunal in The Hague and says it will not respect its judgment.

West was not the only Briton in the video, which also featured John Ross, a former economic adviser to then London mayor Ken Livingston­e who now lives in China.

China and Britain have grown closer in recent years, with the countries’ leaders saying relations have entered a “golden era.”

The video was produced by China Review Studio, a group that makes low- key propaganda films featured in Chinese state media. China’s official news agency

Xinhua said the video “clarifies the truth behind the arbitratio­n tribunal farce.”

It had “attracted many eyeballs, with some Chinese tourists in the Big Apple saying that it is necessary to let the world know the truth regarding the issue,” Xinhua added.

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