China Accuses DPP Authorities of Abandoning National Position by Siding With the Philippines
Dragon Media News Desk
The Chinese mainland has accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities of abandoning their national position by echoing external forces and smearing the mainland.
Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council, made the remarks at a regular press briefing on Wednesday while responding to the DPP authorities’ position on the recent incident at Ren’ai Jiao in the South China Sea.
Taiwan’s foreign affairs authorities had supported the Philippines’ account and accused the mainland of using force and injuring personnel.
Zhang said the DPP authorities had disregarded the facts and broader context of the incident while endorsing the narratives presented by the Philippines and external forces.
She described the position as contrary to Chinese national interests and as an attempt to discredit the mainland.
According to the Chinese side, Philippine personnel carried out provocative actions near Ren’ai Jiao on July 20 and attacked Chinese law-enforcement officers with paddles, long poles and other equipment. Beijing said one Chinese officer was injured during the incident.
The Philippines, however, has accused China Coast Guard personnel of behaving aggressively towards its sailors. Beijing and Manila have released conflicting accounts of responsibility for the confrontation.
China maintains that Ren’ai Jiao and the surrounding waters are part of the Nansha Islands and fall under Chinese sovereignty.
The Philippines calls the area Ayungin Shoal and argues that it lies within its exclusive economic zone.
Zhang’s remarks reiterated Beijing’s broader allegation that Taiwan’s DPP authorities are coordinating with the Philippines and external forces led by the United States on disputes involving the South China Sea.
Chinese officials have repeatedly said that Taiwan-related issues and South China Sea disputes should be kept free from external interference and that the DPP authorities should not seek foreign support on matters involving China’s national interests.
