By H.E. Wang Qing
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone
The One-China principle established by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (UNGA Resolution 2758) represents international justice, the will of the people and the prevailing trend. Yet recently, certain countries have colluded with the Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party authorities, maliciously misinterpreting Resolution 2758 and propagating fallacies such as ‘Taiwan's status is undetermined’ – openly challenging the authority of the United Nations and the post-war international order. To clarify historical facts and set the record straight, I wish to share with our Sierra Leonean friends several truths concerning the Taiwan issue.
Taiwan has historically been part of China. In 1894, Japan launched the First Sino-Japanese War against China. The following year, it compelled the defeated Qing government to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, resulting in Taiwan's occupation for half a century. Both the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation explicitly stipulated that territories stolen by Japan from China, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be returned to China. On 25th October 1945, the Chinese government declared the ‘resumption of sovereignty over Taiwan’ and held the ‘Ceremony for the Acceptance of Surrender of Taiwan Province in the China Theatre’ in Taipei. The return of Taiwan to China constituted an integral part of the outcomes of the Second World War and the post-war international order.
On 1 October 1949, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China was proclaimed, replacing the Government of the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It was the replacement of the old government by the new one, while China, as a subject of international law, stayed unchanged and China’s sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries stayed unchanged. The historical and legal reality that Taiwan is part of China's territory and both sides of the Strait belong to one China remains unchanged.
In October, 1971, the 26th UNGA session adopted UNGA Resolution 2758, decided 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 unequivocally affirms that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations. It explicitly states that Taiwan is not a state and constitutes part of China's territory. This resolution not only resolves comprehensively the issue of representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations from political, legal and procedural perspectives, but also clarifies that China possesses only one seat in the United Nations. There is no such thing as ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan’. After the adoption of Resolution 2758, all official U.N. documents referred to Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China.” 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.”
UNGA Resolution 2758 demonstrates the authority and impartiality of the UN General Assembly, and enshrines the historical conclusion and international consensus on the Taiwan issue. Any responsible nation ought to take the lead in abiding by resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, and in adhering to international law and the fundamental norms of international relations. Yet for some time now, certain countries have blatantly reversed historical progress, deliberately distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758, condoning and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities, and reviving the falsehood that ‘Taiwan's status is undetermined’ in an attempt to use Taiwan to contain China. This not only challenges China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also challenges the authority of the United Nations and the post-World War II international order. It is utterly absurd and dangerous, and is bound to be resisted and opposed by the just forces of the international community. It is also bound to fail.
Sierra Leone was a co-sponsor of UNGA Resolution 2758 and made a special contribution to its adoption. Over the 54 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leonean side has consistently and resolutely upheld the One-China principle and supported China in its just cause of national reunification. China expresses its appreciation and sincere gratitude for this. Currently, both China and Sierra Leone serve as members of the UN Security Council, bearing the responsibility of upholding international peace and security, as well as safeguarding the authority of United Nations and General Assembly resolutions. China stands ready to work with Sierra Leone to continue offering unwavering mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, defend international fairness and justice, and jointly advance global peace, security and prosperity.