Huawei Technologies took out a full-page advertisement in major US newspapers on Thursday urging readers not to believe "everything you hear," about the Chinese tech firm, as it defends itself against government accusations its equipment can be used to spy.

The world's largest telecommunications equipment maker, which has been charged with bank fraud related to US sanctions against Iran, touted its relief efforts in disaster-torn countries such as Chile and Indonesia, and its work to connect people around the world.

"Our doors are always open. We would like the US public to get to know us better," the advert states, claiming that the US government has "developed some misunderstandings about us."

The advertisement ran in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Politico, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, said Huawei spokesman Chase Skinner.

The move is part of an unprecedented public relations blitz, launched last month with a 25-minute interview aired on state-controlled China Central Television (CCTV) with Huawei Chief Executive Ren Zhengfei. Interviews on the BBC and American broadcaster CBS soon followed.

In the CCTV segment, Mr Ren shrugged off the global push against his company and hinted at the rationale behind the media push.