Beijing Rejects Taiwan Statement on Second Thomas Shoal Incident

Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) criticized Taiwan’s foreign affairs department on July 22 for echoing Philippine statements regarding recent maritime confrontations at Ren'ai Jiao (Second Thomas Shoal). TAO spokesperson Zhang Han asserted that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Islands and accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of aligning with external forces to attack Beijing while undermining national solidarity.

Beijing’s sharp rebuke highlights its sensitivity toward any coordination—perceived or actual—between Taiwan authorities and foreign governments regarding South China Sea sovereignty claims, reinforcing Beijing’s stance that cross-strait and maritime territorial issues both touch core national interests.

On July 22, 2026, Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) issued a stern response criticizing Taiwan’s authorities after Taipei echoed Philippine statements concerning recent maritime confrontations near Ren'ai Jiao, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, in the South China Sea. The exchange followed comments made by Taiwan’s foreign affairs department regarding the standoff between mainland Chinese law enforcement and Philippine personnel. In its statement, Taipei condemned mainland China for using force to cause physical injuries during maritime encounters. Furthermore, Taiwan’s foreign affairs department expressed explicit opposition to any unilateral attempts by Beijing or other actors to alter the regional status quo through force, coercion, or grey-zone tactics. During a regular press conference in Beijing on July 22, TAO spokesperson Zhang Han responded directly to media questions regarding Taipei’s statement. Zhang noted that relevant mainland Chinese authorities had already clarified the truth of the situation at Ren'ai Jiao immediately following the event. According to the spokesperson, mainland authorities had released on-site footage documenting the interactions and had lodged formal, solemn representations with Manila over what Beijing described as deliberate provocations and violent attacks against Chinese sea law enforcement officers by Philippine forces. Zhang reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position regarding the South China Sea, emphasizing that Ren'ai Jiao is an inherent part of China’s Nansha Islands and remains sovereign Chinese territory. The spokesperson severely criticized Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for their response, accusing them of abandoning a unified national stance, aligning with external forces to distort facts, and attempting to slander mainland China. Zhang concluded that Taipei's official backing of the Philippine stance once again exposed the nature of the DPP authorities in forgetting their national roots and pursuing independence through reliance on external entities. From Beijing's perspective, cross-strait relations and South China Sea sovereignty claims are deeply intertwined under the 'One China' framework, and any diplomatic coordination between Taiwan and foreign governments on territorial matters represents a political provocation.