Mr. Liu Jun, the Consul General of the People's Republic of China:
In recent years, some people in the US have backtracked to make a fuss about UNGA Resolution 2758, claiming that the resolution did not address Taiwan’s political status. But the so-called undetermined status of Taiwan is nothing more than a revival of the “one China, one Taiwan” narrative from 1971. Behind this is the US hegemonic mindset and Cold War thinking that sees China as the US’ primary strategic rival and severest long-term challenge. In light of this, the US is trying to contain and suppress China by playing the “Taiwan card.”
Q: What is United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758?
A: During the 26th UNGA Session in 1971, Albania, Algeria, and 21 other countries submitted the draft resolution to restore the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the U.N. and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Chiang Kai-shek clique from the U.N. and all the organization related to it. This resolution, adopted with an overwhelming majority, was UNGA Resolution 2758. The full text of the resolution reads as follows:
The General Assembly,
Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Considering that the restoration of the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China is essential both for the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and for the cause that the United Nations must serve under the Charter,
Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People’s Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,
Decide 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.
This resolution carries extensive and authoritative legal force, guiding and obligating all countries and international organizations to handle Taiwan-related issues in accordance with the one-China principle.
Q: Why did the United Nations General Assembly adopt Resolution 2758 in 1971?
A: The United Nations was founded in 1945, with China as a founding member and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. In 1949, the government of the People’s Republic of China was established, replacing the government of the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It was a change of government without changing China as a subject of international law. China’s sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries did not change. Rightfully, the government of the People’s Republic of China fully enjoys and exercises China’s sovereignty, including that over Taiwan.
Within the UN system, it was only natural for the government of the People’s Republic of China to appoint representatives to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly and its related organs, expelling representatives of the Taiwan authorities that could no longer represent the Chinese people. However, due to interference from the government of the United States, China’s UN seat was illegally occupied by the authorities in Taiwan for a long time.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people engaged in a resolute struggle to restore their legitimate seat at the UN, garnering increasing support from a growing number of peace-loving and justice-upholding nations.
In the 1960s, with the rise of China’s international status and the continuous entry of many newly independent countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America into the UN, the US found it increasingly difficult to obstruct the People’s Republic of China from reclaiming its rightful seat at the UN.
As the saying goes: “A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little.” On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority: 76 votes for, 35 against and 17 abstentions. The resolution decided to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, recognize the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representatives of China at the UN, and return the representation and seat of all of China, including Taiwan, to the government of the People’s Republic of China.
For the Chinese people, this was a belated justice, completely resolving the representation question of all of China, including Taiwan, at the UN.
Q: What is the historical significance of UNGA Resolution 2758?
A: The historical significance of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 lies in it being the result of the collective efforts of all countries that love peace and uphold justice worldwide. It signified that the Chinese people, who account for a quarter of the world’s population, had returned to the stage of the UN, making the UN truly the most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental international organization.
This is a victory for the Chinese people and for the people of the world, carrying significant meaning and profound impact for both China and the world.
The restoration of its legitimate seat in the UN opened a new chapter of cooperation between China and the UN. For over 50 years, the People’s Republic of China has consistently upheld and fulfilled its
responsibilities and missions as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, defended the UN Charter and principles, safeguarded the authority and status of the UN, supported the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, practiced multilateralism, and deepened cooperation with the UN. It has made significant contributions to upholding international fairness and justice, promoting world peace and development, strengthening friendly cooperation among countries, and advancing the cause of human progress.
Q: What is the relationship between UNGA Resolution 2758 and the One-China Principle?
The core meaning of the one-China principle includes three aspects: there is but one China in the world, the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
The one-China principle is the premise and political foundation of UNGA Resolution 2758, while the resolution solemnly confirms and fully embodies the one-China principle. The resolution makes it clear that there is but one China in the world and that the Taiwan region is part of China, not a country. It affirms that China has one single seat in the U.N., and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate representative of the whole of China, including Taiwan region. 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 that in the official legal opinions of Legal Affairs of 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.” This has been the consistent position of the U.N. And is clearly documented.
The adoption of Resolution 2758 had a wide-reaching and profound political impact on the practice of international relations. It effectively made the one-China principle a basic norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community. To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the One-China principle.
Q: What is the relationship between UNGA Resolution 2758 and international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation?
A: In term of affirming the one-China principle, UNGA Resolution 2758 is consistent with the spirit of international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, and other international legal instruments.
On December 1, 1943, the governments of China, the United States, and the United Kingdom issued the Cairo Declaration, stating that it is their purpose to have all territories Japan has stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, restored to China. On July 26, 1945, the Potsdam Proclamation, signed by the same three countries and subsequently jointed by the the Soviet Union, reiterated that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” In September 1945, Japan signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, pledging to “carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith.” These international legal documents including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender all confirmed China’s sovereignty over the Taiwan region. These documents are the great achievements of the World Anti-Fascist War and serve as the legal cornerstone of the post-war international order.
Q: The terms of “Republic of China” and “Taiwan” did not appear in UNGA Resolution 2758. Does it mean the resolution has nothing to do with Taiwan?
A: The “government of the Republic of China” was an overthrown regime and hence no longer the legitimate government of China. It could not represent China, a sovereign state, in the international community. Therefore, the term “representatives of the government of the Republic of China” must not be used in UNGA Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971. The U.N. is an international organization of sovereign states, and accepts only representatives from such states. Since Taiwan is part of China, not a sovereign state. The U.N. Charter does not allow representatives in the name of Taiwan to be sent to the U.N. Thus, the phrase “expelling the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” instead. This is a precise and accurate legal wording.
Q: Why is it groundless to argue that UNGA Resolution 2758 “has nothing to do with Taiwan”?
A: Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times. The history in China, which encompasses 10,000 years of culture, and more than 5,000 years of civilization, records that our ancestors moved to Taiwan to live and thrive; that our compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait jointly resisted foreign aggression and regained Taiwan; and that the compatriots from both sides are working together for national rejuvenation.
Due to the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) was forced to cede the island of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. Taiwan was occupied by foreign forces for half a century. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that the Chinese territory stolen by Japan, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be returned to China. On Sept 2, 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, and pledged to faithfully fulfill the obligations enshrined in the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation. On Oct 25, the Chinese government announced that it was resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and the ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in Taiwan province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point forward, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of documents with international legal effect. Taiwan does not have any other international legal status apart from being a part of China.
The UNGA Resolution 2758, passed in 1971, based on the fact that China is a complete country and Taiwan is part of China, resolved the question of who is the legitimate representative of China. The Resolution explicitly declared “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.” Chiang Kai-shek was the leader of the Taiwan authorities at that time, and the “representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” referred to the representatives of the Taiwan authorities. During the discussions that led to UNGA Resolution 2758, the United States had teamed up with a few countries to try to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” and to push through a “dual representation” proposal. Many countries stepped forward, voicing their clear opposition and stressing that the proposal was “illegal and inconsistent with reality, justice and the principles of the UN Charter”. In the end, the proposal failed to make it to a vote and was discarded. The “representative of Chiang Kai-shek” also acknowledged, “Other countries have always emphasized that Taiwan is part of China’s territory, I couldn’t agree more”, and “The people of Taiwan are Chinese in terms of race, history and culture.”
From the text and discussions of UNGA Resolution 2758, it is evident that both the recognition of the representatives of the People’s Republic of China government and the expulsion of the “representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” were carried out within the framework of one China simultaneously. Some forces clamoring that the Resolution “has nothing to do with Taiwan” are baseless; this is either due to historical ignorance or ulterior motives.
Q: Resolution 2758 recognizes that “ the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations.” what does “the only lawful” mean?
A: According to the international law, a sovereign state can only be represented by a single central government. The resolution makes it clear that there is only one seat for China in the U.N., namely, the People’s Republic of China, and that there is only one China in the world, so there is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.” The government of the People’s Republic of China naturally enjoys and exercises full sovereignty over China, including sovereignty over Taiwan.
Q: Why does challenging UNGA Resolution 2758 amount to a challenge to the post-World War II international order and the authority of U.N.?
A: Resolution 2758 clearly states that “Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” “the restoration of the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China is essential both for the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and for the cause that the United Nations must serve under the Charter.” This reflects the resolution’s clear position on upholding the authority of the United Nations. The United Nations is at the center of the post-World War II international order. The restoration of the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat of in the U.N. marked the return of the Chinese people, or one-forth of the world’s population, back to the stage of the U.N. This is of great,far-reaching significance both to China and the world. Any attempt to challenge Resolution 2758 constitutes not only a challenge to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a challenge to the authority of the U.N. as well as the post-World War II international order. Flagrantly reversing the course of history is absurd and highly dangerous.
Q: Why are some people in the United States attempting to maliciously politicize UNGA Resolution 2758?
A: The United States, as a signatory to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, is fully aware of the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China. The one-China principle forms the political foundation of Sino-US relations. The US made serious commitments on the Taiwan question in the three joint communiqués it signed with China. The US side clearly stated that the US Government recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, and acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. This political commitment forms the political foundation for Sino-US relations, represents the essence of the US’ one-China policy and is fully aligned with the spirit of Resolution 2758. Since then, every US administration has made clear commitments on the Taiwan question, acknowledging that adhering to Resolution 2758 is an obligation the US must fulfill as a member of the United Nations.
In recent years, some people in the US have backtracked to make a fuss about UNGA Resolution 2758, claiming that the resolution did not address Taiwan’s political status. But the so-called undetermined status of Taiwan is nothing more than a revival of the “one China, one Taiwan” narrative from 1971. Behind this is the US hegemonic mindset and Cold War thinking that sees China as the US’ primary strategic rival and severest long-term challenge. In light of this, the US is trying to contain and suppress China by playing the “Taiwan card.”
Challenging Resolution 2758 disregards historical and legal facts and contradicts the serious political commitments made by successive US administrations in the three Sino-US joint communiqués. This exposes some US forces’ double-standard and hegemonic practice of using international law and basic international relations principles when they suit it, and discarding them when they are inconvenient. The era of hegemony and force dominating international relations is long gone. Playing the “Taiwan card” and trying to use Taiwan as a pawn to suppress China run counter to the underlying global trends and will inevitably fail.
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