China has called on Australia and the international community to denounce and resist what it describes as disinformation spread by an Australian research institute. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) for allegedly fabricating and disseminating false information about China.
Mao’s remarks came in response to reports that the head of ASPI had posted on social media about a lack of anti-China materials due to cuts in U.S. funding, urging the United States and other organizations to finance their anti-China agenda. Mao claimed that ASPI has long been funded by U.S. defense and diplomatic agencies, as well as arms manufacturers, suggesting that the institute serves the interests of its donors.
“This so-called research institute has propagated a series of lies against China, with its so-called research findings lacking basic factual grounds,” Mao stated. “It has repeatedly been proven to disseminate disinformation, which clearly violates the professional ethics of academic research. There is no credibility to speak of for this institute.”
Mao expressed hope that people in Australia and the global community would recognize what she termed ASPI’s true nature. She urged collective action to denounce and resist the institute’s disinformation campaigns aimed at vilifying China.
The Chinese spokesperson’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between China and certain foreign think tanks and institutions. China has frequently accused some organizations of bias and spreading misinformation, calling for greater scrutiny of their activities and funding sources.
