US allegations over Taiwan 'media manipulation' untrue

A mainland spokesman on Thursday rejected an allegation from the United States in a recent report that the Chinese mainland is "manipulating" Taiwan's media.

"It was a malicious fabrication," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. He urged the US to focus on its own severe human rights problems.

The US State Department's 2020 human rights report claimed the mainland "manipulated Taiwan's media with commercial pressure".

Ma said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities on the island have long been controlling media, supporting cyber armies, cracking down on opponents and lying to deceive the public for its own selfish interests.

To take strategic advantage, the US turned a blind eye to the widespread suspicion and strong condemnation of misconduct by the DPP authorities from all walks of life in Taiwan. Instead, it slandered the mainland, he said.

"It exposed the bad intentions of the US, as well as its dirty political deals with Taiwan," he added.