Mainland rejects DPP criticism over patrols near Taiwan

On Wednesday, the Chinese mainland rejected criticism from the Democratic Progressive Party authorities over mainland law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan, stating that the DPP has acted in a subservient manner in response to serious infringements by Japan and the Philippines in maritime delimitation discussions.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular news conference that China Coast Guard patrols in the waters east of Taiwan Island are conducted in accordance with the law and represent a necessary response to serious violations of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests by Japan and the Philippines.

He added that the mainland will continue to strengthen management and control over the relevant waters.

In response to the DPP's claim that the mainland is using the situation to expand its jurisdictional claims in waters around Taiwan, Chen said: "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China."

He noted that the proposed maritime delimitation area announced by Japan and the Philippines lies east of Taiwan Island, where China holds exclusive economic zone and continental shelf rights.

He said the two countries' unilateral launch of the so-called delimitation talks, without consulting China, violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations and seriously infringes upon China's maritime rights and interests, describing the move as "completely illegal and invalid".

Chen accused the DPP authorities of acting in a subservient manner in the face of serious infringements by Japan and the Philippines and criticized them for "betraying national interests and becoming traitors to the nation".

He added that such actions have already been opposed by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. "Their attempts to escalate cross-Strait confrontation are merely efforts to deflect pressure and deceive the public," Chen said.