By H.E. Mr. Tan Jian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Recently, the head of the relevant department of the Taiwan authorities published an article in Dutch media, deliberately distorting and challenging one-China principle and UNGA Resolution 2758, trumpeting the notion that Taiwan`s status is undetermined, and advocating support for Taiwan`s participation throughout the UN system.
In view of this, it is more than necessary to explain this important question and clarify its root cause to our Dutch friends.
In 1971, Resolution 2758 was adopted at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly 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.” If China’s representation at the UN does not include Taiwan, why should “the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” be expelled from the UN? And Taiwan, as a part of China, did not need to be singled out in the resolution, just like Hawaii or Alaska that were not mentioned in the representation of the US.
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 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.”
For decades, the UN and its agencies have abided by UNGA Resolution 2758, firmly upheld that Taiwan is a province of China, and denied the so-called international representation claimed by the Taiwan authorities. In bilateral relations too, the one-China principle serves as the political and legal foundation of Sino-Dutch relations, as well as China`s diplomatic ties with 183 countries all over the world.
In recent years, the separatist forces of China’s Taiwan Region were attempting to invent a whole set of false narratives to mislead international public opinion, as what they were trying to do in the Dutch media. But fifty years on, anyone who attempts to challenge the historical and legal fact will only embarrass themselves in the face of a much broader-based international consensus and wide support for the just cause. Challenging the One-China principle will end up nowhere and turning back the wheel of history will not succeed. China will never allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from the motherland in any way.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Open and Pragmatic Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation between China and the Netherlands. The key to our sound development of bilateral relations is mutual understanding and support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. It is our expectation that the Netherlands could keep its promise of One-China principle, so that our two countries could further strengthen cooperation and deepen friendship.
