South China Sea Propaganda Video Broadcast in New York’s Times Square

Seen 120 times a day for two weeks

Tourists visiting Manhattan’s Times Square over the next few days are in for a surprise courtesy of the Chinese government: a propaganda video asserting the country’s claim to disputed territory in the South China Sea.

Running until August 3rd, the 3-minute video will be aired on one of Times Square’s most visible video screens approximately 120 times a day.

The video features images of the South China Sea accompanied by English text explaining why the islands belong to China. The propaganda video has been well-publicized in China, with China Daily publishing a video report on the story that included the following images:

If you’re wondering what these Chinese people are looking at, here’s how it looks at street level:

A recent ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague rejecting China’s claim to the territory, has sparked outrage throughout the country. Anti-American sentiment following the decision has resulted in protests at KFC restaurants around China, while one man was attacked and called a “traitor” for wearing Nike-branded shoes in China’s northeast.

As for Chinese authorities, the video addresses the government’s position on The Hague decision: “China did not participate in the illegal South China Sea arbitration, nor accepts the Award so as to defend the solemnity of International law.”

Last summer, another Chinese propaganda video was broadcast in Times Square to increase awareness of Chinese war veterans in advance of the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, celebrated in Beijing with a military parade. Having advertising access to Times Square is significant to Chinese interests for establishing a voice in the international community.

Proving equally successful, is a recent Times Square advertisement for the popular Chinese ride-sharing app, UCAR, which is proving to be a formidable adversary to Uber:

In case you can’t make it to NYC, here’s an altered version of the Times Square video; and here is the Chinese version of the same video.

Charles Liu

The Nanfang's Senior Editor