The recent statements by the head of the Taiwan region’s foreign affairs department in the Israeli media distort UNGA Resolution 2758, challenge the international consensus on the one-China principle, smear the Chinese mainland, and whitewash the "Taiwan independence" narrative.
Such statements are lies and fallacies. As the Chinese ambassador to Israel, I’d like to set the record straight.
The one-China principle is the premise and foundation of UNGA Resolution 2758, which solemnly confirms and embodies the one-China principle. In 1945, following the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Taiwan was restored to China. Since then, Taiwan’s status has been fully settled.
Before the opening of the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1971, it had already become clear that the international community supported the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations. Whether or not Resolution 2758 was adopted could not have altered the fact that there is but one China in the world.
Some countries attempted to obstruct the process through the so-called “Important Question” draft resolution and the “Dual Representation” draft resolution. However, the former was rejected by vote, and the latter became void upon the adoption of Resolution 2758.
Resolution 2758 was ultimately adopted by an overwhelming majority, with Israel voting in favor as well. It decided to restore the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the United Nations, and expel the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek forthwith. The adoption of the resolution marked the recognition of the one-China principle by the majority of countries and its full reflection within the United Nations.
The resolution contains no reference to Taiwan because Taiwan is part of China and is not a sovereign state. By not explicitly mentioning Taiwan while fully reflecting Taiwan’s belonging to China, the resolution avoided falling into the traps of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” set by certain countries at the time.
It stands as an example of the United Nations reaching a reasonable solution after taking into consideration factors including facts, law, procedure, and politics.
Taiwan, as a province of China, has no reason to join the United Nations or other international organizations. Resolution 2758 carries broad and authoritative legal force and provides the basis for the UN system and its specialized agencies in properly handling Taiwan-related matters.
Following the resolution’s adoption, official UN documents have consistently referred to Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China.”
Legal opinions issued by the UN Office of Legal Affairs have also emphasized that “the United Nations considers Taiwan as a province of China with no separate status” and that “the authorities in Taiwan do not enjoy any form of governmental status.”
HEADING
Since the adoption of Resolution 2758, 183 countries, including Israel, have established and developed diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle. It demonstrates that adherence to the one-China principle reflects the prevailing international consensus and the broader trend of history.
As a province of China, Taiwan has no basis to participate in the United Nations or other international organizations whose membership is limited to sovereign states.
The attempt by the DPP authorities in Taiwan to seek “Taiwan independence" by relying on external forces is a source of disruption to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The DPP portrays itself as a “force for good” but has intensified its efforts to seek "Taiwan independence" by relying on external forces and pursuing “independence through force.”
They have played up the so-called “mainland threat” and used it as a pretext to squander the hard-earned money of the people in Taiwan and curry favor with and submit to external forces, forcibly dragging the people in Taiwan onto the chariot of "Taiwan independence" and pushing Taiwan step by step toward the danger of military conflict and war. An increasing number of people in Taiwan strongly oppose such moves.
China’s territory cannot be divided, and the Chinese nation cannot be split. "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Taiwan Strait are fundamentally incompatible. We are ready to work with the greatest sincerity and make every effort to pursue the prospect of peaceful reunification.
At the same time, we will take all necessary measures to oppose "Taiwan independence" and external interference and firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We hope that Israeli friends from all sectors will gain an understanding of the Taiwan question and UNGA Resolution 2758 through the above facts and avoid being misled by those with ulterior motives.
The writer is the Chinese ambassador to Israel.