Your Right Honourable Speaker,

Honourable Members of the National Assembly, especially leaders of different political parties,

Deputy Principal Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Relations,

Dear Friends,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the Chinese Embassy. I will focus my speech on the Taiwan question. When we refer to the Taiwan question, the following words will be “it is at the core of China’s core interests, it is of critical importance to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the one-China principle must be adhered to.” Then, what comes to everyone’s mind is the word “why”. I will give you the answers to that specific question tonight. 

FIRST, WHAT IS THE ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE.

The full version reads as following: There’s but one China in the world, Taiwan 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. Every country should firmly oppose all forms of “Taiwan independence”, and resolutely support the Chinese government to realize national reunification.

SECOND, I WILL BRIEFLY INTRODUCE THE HISTORY OF TAIWAN.

Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. This statement has a sound basis in history. Archeological discoveries and research findings regularly attest to the profound historical and cultural ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Numerous historical records document the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people since very early days. 

The earliest recorded reference to the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people is in the Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer of year 230 (which is 1800 years ago). The central governments of China set up administrative bodies in 1087 to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan (which is almost 1000 years ago). Dutch colonialists invaded and occupied the southern part of Taiwan in 1624 and Taiwan was called “Formosa” by the Dutch colonialists (which is 400 years ago). They only occupied a small part of Taiwan for 38 years. Chinese General Zheng Chenggong expelled Dutch colonialists from Taiwan in 1662. Japanese launched an aggression war against China in 1894 and defeated the then Qing government of China (which is 130 years ago). Taiwan was ceded to Japan as a result of the war. The secession is temporary and the separation of Taiwan from the mainland lasted 50 years until 1945.

1945 marked the victory of Chinese war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. That means Taiwan’s return to China forms a vital part of the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order. A host of documents provide strong and sound international legal effect, basis and source. 

The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom on December 1, 1943 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, should be restored to China. 

The Potsdam Proclamation was signed by China, the United States and the United Kingdom on July 26, 1945, and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union. It reiterated: “The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” 

In September of the same year, Japan signed the instrument of unconditional surrender, in which it promised that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation. On October 25 the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan.

THIRD, THE AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS (U.N.) GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 2758 BROOKS NO DISPUTE OR CHALLENGE. 

China’s status as a founding member of the U.N. and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council was affirmed when the Charter of the United Nations was drafted in 1945. At that time, the official name of China was the Republic of China (ROC for short).

In 1949, the Chinese people, led by the Communist Party of China, overthrew the ROC government. The People’s Republic of China (PRC for short) was founded, becoming the successor to the ROC, and the Central People’s Government of the PRC became the only legal government of the whole of China. The Chiang Kai-shek clique fled to Taiwan and claimed to be the ROC by themselves in Taiwan. 

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. Thus, the government of the PRC naturally and fully enjoys and exercises China’s sovereignty, including sovereignty over Taiwan. According to international law, all rights of China at the U.N. should be enjoyed and exercised by the PRC. However, as the result of the United States and some Western countries strongly obstructed it and deliberately set up obstacles, the seat has been prolonged illegal occupation by the Chiang Kai-shek clique.

At its 26th session in October 1971, the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which undertook “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 settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues of China’s representation in the U.N., and it covered the whole country, including Taiwan. It also spelled out that China has one single seat in the U.N., so there is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. 

The specialized agencies of the U.N. later adopted further resolutions restoring to the PRC its lawful seat and expelling the representatives of the Taiwan authorities. One of these is Resolution 25.1 adopted at the 25th World Health Assembly in May 1972. Just 2 days ago, on May 19, the General Committee and the Plenary Session of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) respectively decided to reject the so-called proposal of “inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer”. This has been the ninth year in a row that the WHA has rejected the so-called proposal concerning Taiwan, to uphold the one-China principle as well as the authority of UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1.

It was also 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”. At the U.N., the island is referred to as “Taiwan, Province of China”. UNGA Resolution 2758 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.

UNGA 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 principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of the Charter of the United Nations. No country or individual should adopt any kind of double standard. Respect for all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity should mean support for China’s complete reunification, and commitment to the one-China principle should mean opposition to any form of “Taiwan independence”.

Recently, the U.S. and some other countries, by distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758, want to rehash the fallacy that “Taiwan’s status is undetermined” and thereby pave the way for Taiwan to seek “international space”. Their ultimate agenda is to obstruct the realization of China’s complete reunification and national rejuvenation through the strategy of “using Taiwan to contain China”. Their attempt to challenge UNGA 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. Their attempt of flagrantly reversing the course of history is absurd and highly dangerous.

FOURTH, WE OPPOSE ALL FORMS OF “TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE”.

We are firm in advancing the cause of China’s reunification. Throughout China’s 5000-year history, national reunification and opposition to division have remained a common ideal and a shared tradition of the whole nation. 

The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China stipulates: “Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People’s Republic of China. It is the inviolable duty of all Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, to accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland.” 

The Anti-Secession Law stipulates: “There is only one China in the world. Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division. Safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is the common obligation of all Chinese people, the Taiwan compatriots included. Taiwan is part of China. The state shall never allow the ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionist forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means.” 

The National Security Law stipulates: “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of China brook no violation or separation. Safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity is the common duty of all Chinese citizens, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots.” 

The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have the strength and the confidence to deal with complexities and overcome risks and threats, as well as the ability to take great strides forward on the path to national reunification. We will work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification. But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities. In no way does it target our fellow Chinese in Taiwan. Use of force would be the last resort taken under compelling circumstances. We will only be forced to take drastic measures to respond to the provocation of separatist elements or external forces should they ever cross our red lines.

FIFTH, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME “RIGHTS AND WRONGS” WITH ALL OF YOU.

 These“rights and wrongs”are as follows but not limited to:

The People’s Republic of China or PRC for short is right. “The Republic of China”or “ROC” is wrong.

“Taiwan, the province of China” or “Taiwan is a part of China” is right. “Taiwan is a country” is wrong.  

Any official interaction with the Taiwan region is wrong. Parliamentary contact is also official.

 Approving the Taiwan authorities set institutions is wrong.

“President of Taiwan” or “President of the Republic of China” is wrong.

Participating in the so-called “Formosa Club” is wrong.

Supporting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and participating in the events hosted by the Taiwan authorities are both wrong.

“UNGA Resolution 2758 does not address the status of Taiwan” and “Taiwan’s status is undetermined” are both wrong.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China will be reunified, and this is unstoppable. Commitment to the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends, and what the greater national interests entail. The international community’s commitment to the one-China principle is not to be challenged or shaken. For quite some time, the Taiwan authorities under the so-called DPP have used exchange and cooperation in economy, trade, technology, culture, and education, among other fields, as a pretext to drill through the rock-solid international commitment to the one-China principle, and expand so-called “international space”. They have coerced or cajoled other countries through dollar diplomacy and other means to set new institutions or rename existing ones in some countries, tempt them to cross, trample on or make moves on the margins of the red line of the Taiwan question, and destroy their relations with China. 

Lesotho has issued statements firmly supporting the one-China principle and supporting China’s efforts to achieve complete reunification for many times. This constitutes the political foundation for our bilateral relations. We very much appreciate the consistent position of Lesotho on supporting the one-China principle. On this basis, We are willing to continue working hand in hand with Lesotho to contribute to deepening the China-Lesotho strategic partnership as well as building an All-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Thank you!