China furious as Taiwan backs Philippines' claims over South China Sea
Last Updated:July 22, 2026, 20:15 ISTRepresentational image (Image: News18)Beijing, Jul 22 (PTI) China is livid with Taiwan, which it regards as part of its own territory, for Taipei’s endorsement of the. . .
Last Updated:July 22, 2026, 20:15 ISTRepresentational image (Image: News18)Beijing, Jul 22 (PTI) China is livid with Taiwan, which it regards as part of its own territory, for Taipei’s endorsement of the Philippines’ claims over the disputed South China Sea (SCS), contradicting Beijing’s sweeping claim over the area. Zhang Han, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, on Wednesday criticised Taiwan’s authorities for supporting the Philippines’ claims over a recent confrontation at Ren’ai Jiao islands, known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, saying they abandoned their national position and echoed external forces in confusing right and wrong. Recommended StoriesWhen asked about Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemning the use of force by the Chinese coast guard against the Philippine sailors, Zhang said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan chose to “smear the Chinese mainland," official media here reported. Zhang sharply criticised Taiwan’s foreign ministry, which reportedly issued a statement siding with the Philippines’ claims and condemning what it described as “the mainland’s use of force to harm people" during the confrontation. Taiwan, which is also a claimant to the SCS, rarely questioned China’s claims over the SCS in public. China asserts that Taiwan is part of it and vows to integrate it with the mainland. China claims most of the SCS as its own. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area. The latest row between Beijing and Manila started after the Philippines military on Monday accused Chinese coast guard personnel of injuring one of its sailors in a scuffle that broke out at the Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied the allegations. Personnel from the Philippines’ military vessel illegally “grounded" at the shoal and blatantly disrupted the Chinese coast guard’s normal law enforcement and maliciously attacked Chinese law enforcement personnel, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing on Tuesday. The incident coincided with the Philippines hosting the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Manila. Lin said that whenever China and the Philippines are about to engage in communication and interaction, or whenever the region is set to host important diplomatic events, certain forces exploit maritime issues to provoke trouble. Ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the SCS dispute came under the limelight after the US, UK and 12 other nations early this month reaffirmed their support for the 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating its claims over the SCS. China hit back, saying that its rights over the SCS are legal. It never accepted the tribunal ruling. A five-judge tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, adjudicating on the petition filed by the Philippines in 2016, struck down Beijing’s claims of historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’. Dismissing China’s claims over 90 per cent of the SCS based on historic rights, the tribunal concluded that China’s claims were incompatible with the exclusive economic zones provided for in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). PTI KJV ZH ZH(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed -PTI)News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismKey Questions AnsweredTaiwan's long-term stance may involve continued modernization of its armed forces to deter China, including the use of drones and robot patrol dogs. Taiwan has also asserted its sovereign and independent democratic nation status, rejecting Beijing's territorial claims. First Published:July 22, 2026, 20:15 ISTNewsagency-feedsChina furious as Taiwan backs Philippines' claims over South China SeaDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy. Loading comments. . . Read More