Mainland criticizes DPP of escalating tensions over coast guard patrols

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday accused the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan of attempting to use mainland coast guard law enforcement patrols around Taiwan to escalate cross-Strait tensions.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that relevant mainland authorities have carried out law enforcement patrols in the waters concerned in accordance with the law.

Emphasizing that "there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China", Chen said the actions are justified and necessary measures to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. He added that they have been welcomed by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including fishermen in Taiwan.

After Japan and the Philippines launched the so-called maritime delimitation talks involving waters east of Taiwan Island on May 28, China has taken a series of measures in response, including law enforcement patrols by the China Coast Guard.

Taiwan's coast guard authorities said they had advised Taiwan vessels to ignore inquiries from mainland coast guard ships, immediately report such encounters to Taiwan's coast guard, and move toward Taiwan coast guard vessels.

Chen criticized the move, accusing the DPP authorities of putting their political agenda of "Taiwan independence" above the interests of the Chinese nation and the well-being of Taiwan residents. He said the DPP authorities were attempting to exploit the issue to incite cross-Strait confrontation, but such efforts would not succeed.

Chen also warned that if the DPP authorities "dare to provoke or stir up trouble", they would bear responsibility for all consequences arising from their actions.