EU calls out Chinese state media for distorting official’s remarks in meeting with foreign minister Wang Yi
- ‘The Chinese press release gives a selective and unbalanced account of the discussions,’ the EU’s foreign affairs spokeswoman says
- The EU also announces plans to crack down on disinformation campaigns it has seen over the coronavirus pandemic
The European Union has warned Chinese state media to stop what it called “selective” and “unacceptable” reporting of remarks its top diplomat made during a video meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week.
The warning came on Wednesday as the EU introduced new plans to crack down on disinformation campaigns from state-backed actors including Russian and Chinese online sources, which have proliferated during the coronavirus outbreak.
The latest flashpoint concerned Wang’s strategic dialogue on Tuesday with Josep Borrell, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
“The Chinese press release gives a selective and unbalanced account of the discussions,” the EU’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Virginie Battu-Henriksson told the South China Morning Post.
“We have made it known to our Chinese counterparts that this incident is unacceptable and that we expect China to present its own positions while the EU presents its own,” she added.
