(By H.E. Wang Di, Chinese Ambassador to Canada)

For some time, the United States has continuously spread various fallacies at the United Nations distorting UNGA Resolution 2758, in an attempt to “internationalize” the Taiwan question. Driven by selfish interests, the U.S. has wantonly challenged the one-China fact universally recognized by the international community, and gravely infringed upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I. The Taiwan Question is Purely China’s Internal Affair

Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. This statement has a sound historical and legal basis. International legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation rightfully and justly restored Taiwan, which had been stolen by Japan, to China, reaffirming that Taiwan has always been a part of China and belongs to all the Chinese people. In 1945, Taiwan was restored to China, marking an important outcome of the victory in World War II and forming an integral part of the post-war international order.

The Taiwan question is a legacy left over by the Chinese civil war. After the founding of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, it replaced the government of the Republic of China and fully enjoyed and exercised sovereignty over the whole of China, which naturally includes sovereignty over Taiwan. Today, the greatest obstacles to resolving the Taiwan question are separatist attempts for “Taiwan independence” and interference by external forces. No matter how these forces may stir up trouble, there is only one future for the Taiwan question: China will achieve complete reunification.

II. Resolution 2758 Fully Embodies the One-China Principle

In 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which declared the restoration of all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and the expulsion forthwith of the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek . These two elements are inseparable. The resolution made it clear that the Chiang Kai-shek authorities in China’s Taiwan region had no right to represent China at the United Nations. The resolution did not mention the word “Taiwan” because Taiwan is part of China, not a sovereign state. Under the UN Charter, a region does not have the right to send representatives to the UN in its own name. Therefore, the phrase “expelling the representatives of the Taiwan authorities” should not be used. The resolution avoided the trap of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” set by the United States. Instead, it stands as an exemplary model of a fair and reasonable solution after comprehensively considering historical facts, legal principles, procedural requirements, and political realities. Resolution 2758 marked the recognition of the one-China principle by the overwhelming majority of countries and its proper reflection in the United Nations. The authority of Resolution 2758 cannot be challenged.

III. The One-China Principle Enjoys Universal International Support

Since the adoption of Resolution 2758, the one-China principle has been firmly upheld in multilateral settings. It was clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.N. Secretariat that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status” and the “‘authorities’ in ‘Taipei’ are not considered to ... enjoy any form of government status.” To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. More and more countries and international organizations, while reiterating adherence to the one-China principle, have further explicitly opposed any form of “Taiwan independence” and firmly supported the Chinese government’s efforts to achieve national reunification.

IV. U.S. Interference Is Bound to Fail

The United States has been distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758, seeking to “internationalize” the Taiwan question, promoting Taiwan’s so-called “international contributions,” and clamouring for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and activities under the guise of an “entity.” These are merely pretexts with ulterior motives behind. When we talk about China’s international contributions, we talk about the whole of the country. Taiwan’s GDP has always been included as part of the basis for China’s assessed contributions to the United Nations and other international organizations. As part of China, Taiwan may, with the consent of China’s central government, participate and play a role in relevant technical activities of certain international organizations. There are many successful examples every year. As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States has failed to take the lead in observing the UNGA Resolution. Instead, it has repeatedly undermined and eroded the very foundations of the United Nations and trampled upon principles of international law. By targeting UNGA Resolution 2758, the United States has once again demonstrated its practice of unilateralism and hegemony, further exposing its hypocrisy and double standards in international affairs.

China’s complete reunification is an irresistible historical trend and also meets the expectations of the international community. China’s reunification will not harm the legitimate interests of any country. Instead, it will bring more prosperity and stability to the Asia-Pacific region and the world, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as to world peace and development, and the progress of humanity.