Image Credit: E-International Relations
China has declared that the one-China principle remains unchanged and irrefutable, regardless of the recent statements made by Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized this enduring stance during a regular press briefing on Wednesday, citing the enduring validity of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758.
Addressing the media, Lin refuted Lai’s remarks by stating that the world recognizes only one China, with Taiwan being an integral part of its territory. He highlighted that this fact is underscored by UNGA Resolution 2758, which settled the issue of China’s representation in the United Nations. According to Lin, the resolution clarifies that there is only one China, with the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative, thus negating the concept of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”
Lin pointed out that the one-China principle is upheld by the United Nations and its specialized agencies, with Taiwan consistently referred to as “Taiwan, province of China” in official UN documents. He cited legal opinions from the UN Secretariat’s Office of Legal Affairs, which state that Taiwan does not have separate status and that the authorities in Taipei are not considered to possess any form of governmental status.
Reaffirming the one-China principle, Lin stated that it is a universally recognized norm in international relations and enjoys widespread consensus in the international community. He questioned the validity of any misinterpretations of this principle, challenging the notion of Taiwan’s “sovereign status” when it is considered a part of China.
Lin also addressed the issue of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, asserting that it must be conducted following the one-China principle. He dismissed the idea of Taiwan having independent international participation, reinforcing that the pursuit of a “Taiwan-independence” agenda would lead to a dead end.
The spokesperson concluded by stressing that the one-China principle is unshakable and the trend towards China’s complete reunification is unstoppable. He reiterated that any attempts to promote Taiwan’s independence are destined to fail, underscoring China’s unwavering position on the matter.