Report Accuses U.S. of Spreading Misinformation on South China Sea

A report released on Thursday accuses the United States of disseminating false information regarding the South China Sea issue. The report, published by the Xinhua Institute, a think tank associated with Xinhua News Agency, alleges that the U.S. has acted as a "lie-monger" in its portrayal of the situation.

The report details how Washington has engaged in extensive research to shape international narratives, utilizing its influence to fabricate false narratives, distort facts, and obscure the truth. This has resulted in the widespread dissemination of misleading information under the guise of credible journalism.

The report highlights that while media often portrays China as an aggressive actor, it neglects the underlying causes of the South China Sea disputes, specifically the Philippine occupation of Chinese islands and reefs. The United States is accused of consistently shaping international narratives on the South China Sea.

The report points out that since the Obama administration, various U.S. government agencies, think tanks, and media outlets have promoted narratives that stigmatize China's policies and actions in safeguarding its maritime rights. These narratives often rely on selective or distorted information.

The report also emphasizes that the U.S. and its allies mischaracterize the actions of certain claimant states as safeguarding sovereignty, while framing China's legitimate rights protection and law enforcement as "hegemonic" actions. This report is part of a series of three reports on the South China Sea issue released by the Xinhua Institute.