
Taiwan transferred a 61-metre retired cutter to the Philippine Coast Guard via an NGO, enhancing maritime cooperation despite no formal diplomatic ties, drawing condemnation from China's Taiwan Affairs Office which accused Taiwan's ruling party of aiding wrongdoing.
AI-generated summary
Taiwan and the Philippines have been expanding practical maritime cooperation despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, a development viewed skeptically by China which claims sovereignty over Taiwan and opposes its international engagement.
The matter centres on a 61-metre (200-foot) retired cutter handed over to the Philippine Coast Guard through a non-governmental organisation on Monday, as Taipei and Manila expand practical maritime cooperation despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has condemned the move, accusing the island’s ruling party of ignoring infringements by Japan and the Philippines as they pursue maritime delimitation talks.
The Democratic Progressive Party had failed to protect the interests of the people of Taiwan and was instead “helping an evildoer do evil”, TAO spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said on Wednesday.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
China may increase diplomatic pressure or conduct military drills near Taiwan in response to the cutter transfer.
Likely · Within weeks

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