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| British MP Catherine West (Image: Wiki Commons) |
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 specialising in the Asia-Pacific region, is briefly quoted in the video.
The video shows white-sand beaches and crystal-blue 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.
The three-minute video is running about six hours a day on a big screen in New York's Times Square -- one of the world's busiest tourist destinations.
Read the full story at SpaceDaily