Labour MP says she was misrepresented in China's Times Square propaganda video
'I am not happy [for] footage to be used in a way that suggests that I support the current approach adopted by China towards these islands'
A Labour MP whose image and comments were used in a Chinese state propaganda video broadcast in Times Square, New York, has said she was “not happy” her views were misrepresented.
Catherine West agreed to an interview at a conference in May, during which she spoke about the delicate issue of sovereignty in the South China Sea and de-escalting tensions between rival powers.
However, her comments were edited - apparently decontextualizing them - and then used as part of a video which is being played 120 times a day in the centre of New York City for nearly two weeks.
In the video, Ms West said: “I think talks are crucial and that’s why we have to be careful that, yes, we need to resolve something very locally and have a grown-up approach to dialogue.”
Her comments are interspersed with pro-China comments from other commentators and a Chinese-centric account of the region’s history.
In response, Ms West told Buzzfeed News she was “perplexed and deeply concerned” by the video. In a statement, she said: “I was unaware that these comments would be used in this manner.”
“Although I was of course happy to give an interview on my concerns regarding the militarisation of the South China Sea and the need to work together to secure a peaceful resolution, I am not happy [for] footage to be used in a way that suggests that I support the current approach adopted by China towards these islands.”
“In regard to my quote within the video, I maintain that dialogue is crucial to securing peace in the region.”
Earlier in July, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in a case brought by the Philippines, a regional rival, that Chinese claims to sovereignty in the South China Sea were not legally sound. The video claimed The Hague’s decision “vainly attempted to deny China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and in the South China Sea”.
Ms West also responded to this and said: “The arbitration process at the Hague would have been such an opportunity for the dispute to have been settled in a grown-up way.”
As a Junior Shadow Minister for the foreign affairs, Ms West was also incorrectly identified in the video as shadow Foreign Minister.
She has participated in several parliamentary discussions about territorial rights in the South China Sea. The Chinese state has been asserting its dominance in the area by building islands and conducting naval patrols.
In February, well before the interview was shot, Ms West highlighted the issue by asking in parliament what reports the Foreign Secretary had received of Chinese deployment of “surface-to-air missiles on the Paracels Islands in the South China Sea”. The government responded it was “very concerned” about the reports and “any actions which are likely to increase tensions in the South China Sea, including militarisation”.
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Following The Hague’s decision in July, Ms West asked the Commons: “The Hague ruled against Chinese claims to territorial rights in the South China sea backing a case brought by the Philippines.
“Does the Secretary of State agree that the PCA’s ruling must be respected, and that any non-compliance by the Chinese Government would not only cause severe reputational damage to China but constitute a serious breach of international law?”
The government urged respect for international law.
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