China on Wednesday slammed Taiwan for sending humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine, accusing the Taiwanese government of capitalising on “other’s difficulties” to further its own political agenda.

The war in Ukraine has garnered considerable sympathy in Taiwan, and the self-proclaimed island nation has joined the West in sanctioning Russia and sending aid to Ukraine, a move that China has called “political manipulation.”

Also read | 9 out of 10 Ukrainians stare at poverty if Russian offensive goes on: UNDP

“The Democratic Progressive Party authorities are using the Ukraine issue to validate their existence and piggy back on a hot issue, taking advantage of other’s difficulties,” Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday, referring to the ruling party in Taiwan.

“Their attempts to incite confrontation and create hostility through political manipulation will not succeed,” Fenglian further said.

Since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, Taiwan has announced $15 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine: the self-proclaimed island nation initially made a $3.5 million donation for refugees fleeing the war, and announced a second donation of $11.5 million late on Tuesday evening. President Tsai Ing-wen has also gifted a month’s salary to Ukraine in a symbolic gesture of support.

Also read | COVID-19 surge driven by omicron leaves Hong Kong overwhelmed

China, meanwhile, has refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but has also contributed to international efforts to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the war. Last week, China said that the Chinese Red Cross would provide 5 million yuan ($786,000) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, making it their first publicly announced aid package for the eastern European country.

In the three weeks that have elapsed since the beginning of the Russian invasion, more than 3 million people have fled Ukraine to seek refuge elsewhere, while millions more in the country are having to endure horrific conditions as Russian shelling disrupts water supply and electricity in Ukrainian cities and devastates the country’s healthcare system.