International

Taiwan’s status undetermined? A fallacy

Article by Yi Xin

Severing “diplomatic” ties with China’s Taiwan region, Nauru recently became the 183rd country to recognize the fact that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

In some corners, however, this indisputable fact continues to run into denialism. Laura Rosenberger, chair of the “American Institute in Taiwan,” told reporters she thought Nauru’s move was “unfortunate” and “disappointing.” “U.N. Resolution 2758 did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan, did not preclude any countries from having diplomatic relationships with Taiwan and did not preclude Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system,” she said.

Her smattering of international affairs is shocking.

In fact, Resolution 2758 definitively states that Taiwan “decides to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.”

Would the U.N. have expelled the representatives of a sovereign state?

In addition to delivering an emphatic conclusion, Resolution 2758 also represents a process during which any ambiguity about Taiwan’s status was removed. The minutes of debates leading to its adoption show that sponsors of the resolution urged UN General Assembly not to partition China’s territory just because the Chiang Kai-shek clique was entrenched in Taiwan region, and regarded the draft resolution as “a question of credentials,” i.e. who are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations, not about “admission of new Members to the United Nations.”

When some tried to smuggle “dual representation” into the draft resolution, they were met with strong opposition. Their motions were considered “illegal and clearly inconsistent with current reality, justice and the principles of the U.N. Charter.” With their votes for Resolution 2758, U.N. member states made it clear there are no “two Chinas,” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

Preceding Resolution 2758, the Cairo Declaration, and the Potsdam Proclamation, two milestone international legal instruments, also explicitly recognized Taiwan’s status as an inalienable part of China. In 1943, the leaders of China, the United States, and Britain issued the Cairo Declaration, which stated that all territories Japan stole from the Chinese, such as Taiwan region, shall be restored to China. The Potsdam Declaration of 1945 affirmed that the terms of the Cairo Declaration would be carried out.

Today, 183 countries recognize the truth about Taiwan’s status, including Rosenberger’s own country the United States, which pledged to the one-China principle in its joint communiques with China. Over the years, consecutive U.S. administrations have stated the U.S. opposition to Taiwan’s “independence.”

In the course of its millennia-long history, China was more than once engulfed in internal conflict. Yet in each case the Chinese people came together to reunify their country. It is a force not to be stopped by anyone or anything.

International

The One-China Principle: A Reflection of Popular Will and Global Trend

Article by H. E. Yan Xiusheng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados

There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. One hundred and eighty-three countries in the world, have established and are advancing diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle.

Resolution 2758 adopted at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1971 stated in black and white that it “decides to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.” The resolution made it clear that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN; Taiwan is not a country but a part of China’s territory. It makes clear Taiwan’s status as a non-sovereign entity. UNGA Resolution 2758 resolved once and for all politically, legally and procedurally the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN. The resolution also made clear that there can only be one seat representing China at the UN and precluded the possibility of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

Since the adoption of the resolution, the one-China principle has been observed by the UN and its specialized agencies on the Taiwan question. Taiwan is referred to as “Taiwan, province of China” in all UN’s official documents. It was clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN 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.” The United Nations is an intergovernmental international organization composed of sovereign states. Taiwan, a province of China, has no basis, reason or right to join the UN or its relevant agencies. The Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations must and can only be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. Any attempt to deliberately distort UNGA’s Resolution 2758 and propagate the narrative of so-called “Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system” is to hollow out the one-China principle, embolden and support “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, which will be resisted and opposed by the international force for justice and will not succeed.

UNGA’s Resolution 2758 is a decision made by the United Nations General Assembly, and all member states should abide by it. This is a requirement of the UN Charter, a commitment made in written form by countries when they join the United Nations, and an obligation that member states of the United Nations must fulfill. The one-China principle is also the fundamental premise and political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with all countries. The international community universally observes UNGA’s Resolution 2758 and faithfully implements the one-China principle. From the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China to the 183rd, all countries have politically committed to adhering to the one-China principle and have written it into political documents such as joint communiqués and declarations upon establishing diplomatic relations with China. This fully demonstrates that adhering to the one-China principle is a matter of international justice, reflects the will of the world people, and is the general trend of the times.

China and Barbados enjoy deep traditional friendship. Since establishing diplomatic relations 47 years ago, the bilateral relations have steadily progressed on the basis of the one-China principle, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. Last June, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley successfully visited China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, and China-Barbados relations is now at its best in history. China highly appreciates the Barbadian government and people’s adherence to the one-China principle and is ready to work with Barbados to continuously promote the implementation of important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in various fields, continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, constantly broaden and enrich the connotation of the friendly relations between the two countries, jointly uphold multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and advance the bright prospects of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for the world. (PR)

International

CHINA IMPORT EXPORT FAIR BEGINS

The Canton Fair is the biggest trade show in China held twice a year. It is officially known as the China Import and Export Fair and functions as a significant platform for manufacturers and suppliers from various industries to showcase their products. If you import goods from China, attending the upcoming Canton Fair 2024 holds the potential to significantly enhance your business.

The 135th session opened Monday April 15th in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong Province.

International

Foreign scholars, media staff discover ‘modern, open’ Xinjiang

A delegation composed of scholars and media professionals from eight countries in the Middle East and Asia have recently toured Xinjiang. From visiting museums and local communities to modern enterprises, members of the delegation praised the trip for letting them witness a Xinjiang that blends tradition and modernity, with openness and inclusivity. Gong Ming reports.

Beginning their journey on April 7 in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the delegation explored local museums and urban planning centers gaining insights into the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage as well as its modern urban development. Immersing themselves in local communities and traditional bazaars, they experienced the vibrant cultural life of the people here first-hand.

NAJLA ALZAROONI Senior Researcher, UAE Trends Research and Advisory Center “I was a little bit afraid visiting Xinjiang given that news we read outside from China. But coming here and seeing that the place here is very secure, it’s not less developed and secure than other parts of China. I think it’s the very key correction I had from the first few days of being here in Xinjiang.”

The delegation also visited the Xinjiang branch of Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Corporation, and said they were impressed by the company’s focus on new energy vehicles. They toured the automated production line and witnessed the modernization of the factory, praising the young team and overall design.

ALIREZA KHODA GHOLIPOUR Deputy Director of Asian Study Office Iran Foreign Affairs Ministry “I didn’t expect that this part of China being this developed. This is a very good sign. Technologies and industries are not only concentrated in some parts of China. It seems that in provinces like Xinjiang, there are more facilities for the young generation to be absorbed in this kind of industry.”

The delegation then headed to Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture and toured Khorgos, a bustling border city between China and Kazakhstan, home to international duty-free shopping malls selling a wide range of goods. They witnessed significant Chinese investment in border infrastructure, a key driver of local economic growth. One scholar from Turkey optimistically noted the commercial development of the border city, and the international opportunities it provides.

MEHMET UGUR EKINCI Researcher, Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, Turkey “I saw this Khorgas while we were coming here, it looks like a very new and modern place. In Xinjiang, the manufacturing is also increasing quite epically. I see that the silk road is rebound, the increase of free trade between countries on the silk road will increase prosperity worldwide.”

GONG MING Khorgas, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture “After five days of on-site visits, the modernization of Xinjiang has amazed many foreign scholars and experts visiting this place for the first time. Many have said that with border cities like Khorgos playing a more significant role and leveraging their advantages, we will witness a more open and economically prosperous Xinjiang. Gong Ming, CGTN, Khorgas.” (PR)