EU toned down report on Chinese disinformation after Beijing threatened ‘repercussions’, diplomatic sources say
- Sources tell South China Morning Post that references to Beijing’s efforts to deflect blame for the Covid-19 outbreak were removed due to fears it would withhold medical supplies in revenge
- Initial version accused China of running ‘global disinformation campaign’ and used ‘covert and overt’ tactics
The European Union toned down part of a report about Chinese state-backed disinformation because it feared Beijing would retaliate by withholding medical supplies, diplomatic sources have said
But the Post has learnt that this section was removed after Beijing intervened and warned EU diplomats based in China there would be unspecified repercussions.
EU diplomats were worried that this would “strain” relations and make it “more difficult to get medical supplies” that are desperately needed in Europe’s fight against Covid-19, according to a source.
This series of events highlights both China’s concern over the way its handling of the pandemic is seen abroad, but also its ability to sway foreign governments – even those as powerful as the EU – because of its status as the key exporter of strategic products.