A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for currying favor with external forces in response to the so-called delimitation negotiations between Japan and the Philippines. Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, told a news conference that the DPP authorities have degenerated into what she described as "outright traitors to the nation".

She made these remarks in response to the DPP authorities' claim that "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other, and China has no right to interfere or speak on behalf of Taiwan" regarding the "delimitation" talks between Japan and the Philippines on waters around Taiwan. The proposed maritime delimitation area announced by Japan and the Philippines lies east of Taiwan, where China possesses an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Zhang said.

She noted that the two countries' unilateral decision to initiate the "delimitation negotiations" while bypassing China has severely infringed upon China's maritime rights and interests and violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations. She added that the move is illegal and therefore void.

While the Chinese mainland called on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to jointly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the DPP authorities stated that Taiwan has signed "fisheries agreements" with the two countries respectively, and would continue to consult with them on maritime issues. Zhang described this stance as an act of "bowing and scraping" in an attempt to curry favor with external forces.

"Facing unanimous condemnation from compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the DPP authorities have once again hyped up the fallacies of 'Taiwan independence' in a futile attempt to shift focus and deceive the public," she said. She warned the DPP authorities that anyone who forgets their ancestors and betrays the nation will "be nailed to the pillar of shame in history".