Singapore Cries Foul Over China Newspaper’s Fabricated South China Sea Story

Singapore’s Ambassador blamed one of China’s primary state run newspapers of inventing reports regarding Singapore’s stand on South China Sea territorial dispute. However, the newspaper publication shrugged off the accusations and stood firm on its story.

The Global Times reported on September 21, that Singapore raised the South China Sea issue during the summit of Non-Aligned Movement in Venezuela. Singapore included an International Tribunal’s ruling in the Philippine’s favor in a case it filed to counter China’s claims

The tabloid, run by China’s Communist Party, reported that opposition from “many” countries blocked Singapore’s effort.

The Times referred to an anonymous “person in the know”.

Stanley Loh, Singapore’s Ambassador to Beijing, sent a direct letter to The Global Times editor in chief Hu Xijin. Loh said the articles written were “false and unfounded”. He added “Contrary to the claim fabricated by the Global Times, the Singapore delegation did not raise the South China Sea or the tribunal ruling at the NAM Summit,”

Singapore declared their frustration with the publication for falsely reporting details. Loh said, “We are disappointed that an established newspaper published this irresponsible report replete with fabrications and unfounded allegations with no regard for the facts.”

The paper nevertheless, stood by their source. Hu, the editor in chief, responded to the accusation in the paper’s official micro blog. He determinedly vouched for the story and insisted that their source was “serious and reliable”. Therefore, he said he cannot accept the allegations of the Singaporean Ambassador.

U.S. jets aimed at China

Hu also stated that although Singapore did not have any claim to any of the disputed territories of the South China Sea, it sided with the Philippines and Vietnam. It even allowed U.S. combat aircraft to operate from its soil. He further said that it was no secret that the warplanes’ target was China.

A spokesman from China’s Foreign Ministry said they noted the reports. Both countries must also mutually appreciate and respect each other’s basic interests.

 

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