BEIJING -- A defense spokesperson on Friday denounced Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for intoxicating themselves with the illusion of soliciting US support for "Taiwan independence."

They willingly act as a pawn and betray the people of Taiwan, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, commenting on a recent statement from the DPP authorities claiming that the United States is unlikely to give up Taiwan.

The US side attempts to contain China with Taiwan, and is doubling down on arming Taiwan, while the DPP authorities are seeking to exploit such a situation to increase the defense spending, Zhang said.

Their actions have gravely harmed the security and well-being of people in Taiwan, and severely undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he added.

Ultimately, the DPP, the useful fool, will end up being an abandoned tool, Zhang said.