Question: Recently, certain politicians in west countries have been deliberately distorting the one-China principle, glossing over the historical connection between Taiwan Island and the mainland of China, and trumpeting the notion that “Taiwan’s status is undetermined”. Could you elaborate on the history of Taiwan?

Embassy Spokesperson: the definition of the one-China principle is crystal clear, that is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. The history and legal facts are clear. A large number of historical records and annals document the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people in earlier periods. And new archeological discoveries and research findings have been coming up attesting to the profound historical and cultural ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

From modern times to the end of World War II, Taiwan encountered invasions from foreign enemies multiple times. In December 1943, the Cairo Declaration issued by China, the US and the UK stated that it was the purpose of the three allies that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China. The terms of this Declaration was reiterated by the Potsdam Proclamation signed by China, the US and the UK in July 1945, and subsequently recognised by the Soviet Union.  These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and also affirmed Taiwan’s status as China’s inalienable territory from a legal perspective.

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. Despite the change of government, China, as a subject of international law, did not change. China’s sovereignty and inherent territory did not change. Rightfully, the Government of the People’s Republic of China fully enjoys and exercises China’s sovereignty, including that over Taiwan.

On 25 October 25 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. The Resolution resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that China has a single seat in the United Nations, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

Due to continued civil war in China and the meddling of external forces, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have fallen into a special state of protracted political confrontation. However, China’s sovereignty and territory have never and can never be divided. Taiwan’s status as part of China’s territory has never and can never change.