Why Taiwan’s coastguard vessel transfer to the Philippines has sparked a double outcry

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.