Envoy: Adhere to the “One China” Principle and Uphold International Consensus

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The historical chronology of the Taiwan issue is clear: Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory, and China’s sovereignty over Taiwan is indisputable.

Recently, certain forces have been promoting the so-called theory of Taiwan’s “undetermined status,” distorting UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and openly challenging the authority of the UN, international consensus, and the post-war world order. In this context, I would like to outline the essence of the Taiwan issue and China’s position.

Taiwan is an inseparable part of China: the evidence is irrefutable. Exchanges between mainland China and the island of Taiwan date back to the 3rd century CE. In the late 13th century, Taiwan was officially incorporated into the administrative structure of the Yuan dynasty, politically affirming its belonging to China. In 1661, Ming dynasty general Zheng Chenggong defeated the Dutch colonizers, liberated Taiwan, and safeguarded China’s sovereignty. In 1684, the Qing government established local administration on Taiwan under the Fujian province, strengthening governance and control over the island. For thousands of years, the people of Taiwan and mainland China shared common roots, language, and culture, collectively building a brilliant Chinese civilization.

Following defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the Qing government was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan and the Penghu archipelago to Japan, placing Taiwan under colonial rule for nearly half a century. In 1941, the Chinese government issued the “Declaration of War against Japan,” invalidating all unequal treaties with Japan and proclaiming the return of Taiwan and the Penghu archipelago.

In 1943, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom adopted the Cairo Declaration, explicitly stating that “all territories taken by Japan from China, including Taiwan, shall be restored to China.” In 1945, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union issued the Potsdam Declaration, reaffirming the return of Taiwan to China. These documents are a key part of the post-World War II international order and carry undeniable legal force, definitively establishing Taiwan’s belonging to China.

In October 1945, Taiwan was liberated and officially returned under Chinese administration, restoring China’s sovereignty and administrative control over Taiwan and the Penghu archipelago.

On 1 October 1949, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established, replacing the Republic of China. The PRC government became the sole legitimate government representing all of China. This change in power did not alter China’s status as an international legal entity; China’s sovereignty and territorial boundaries remained unchanged. The PRC government exercises full sovereignty over China, including Taiwan. The status of Taiwan is clear: it is an inseparable part of China, a historical and legal fact.

UN General Assembly Resolution 2758: the international consensus must not be challenged

On 25 October 1971, at the 26th session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority. The resolution clearly proclaimed: “to recognize the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations; to restore all rights of the People’s Republic of China and immediately expel the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from all illegal positions in the United Nations and its bodies.”

Since then, the question of China’s representation, including Taiwan, in the UN has been definitively resolved politically, legally, and procedurally. The legality, effectiveness, and authority of the resolution are indisputable.

Resolution 2758 fully enshrined the One China principle, clearly establishing that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and it is not an independent state; China has a single seat in the UN, and the PRC government is the only legitimate representative of all China, including Taiwan. Concepts such as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” do not exist.

Following Resolution 2758, all official UN documents adopted the sole designation “Taiwan, Province of China.” A legal opinion from the UN Secretariat’s Office of Legal Affairs also emphasizes that “the United Nations considers Taiwan a province of China with no independent status” and “Taiwan authorities do not possess any government status.” This remains the UN’s official, documented position.

The adoption of Resolution 2758 had a broad and profound political impact on international relations. Since then, the One China principle has become a fundamental norm of international relations, universally recognized by the international community. To date, 183 countries have established and maintain diplomatic relations with China based on the One China principle.

The One China principle is unwavering: moves toward Taiwan independence are doomed to fail

Recently, the authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan have persistently pursued a policy of “Taiwan independence,” promoting false ideas of “Taiwanese sovereignty,” distorting facts, and misleading the island’s population and the international community. Some countries and politicians, seeking to use the Taiwan issue to contain China, support separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence,” violate UNGA Resolution 2758, and speculate on the so-called theory of “Taiwan’s undetermined status.”

This constitutes a blatant distortion of history, a violation of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international law and fundamental principles of international relations.

The One China principle is clear and unequivocal. Although the Taiwan Strait has yet to be fully unified, China’s sovereignty and territory have never been divided and will never be divided. Taiwan’s status as an inseparable part of China has never changed and will never change. The main threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait today comes from the separatist activities of Taiwan independence supporters and external interference. The DPP authorities continue to spread falsehoods, seeking to achieve independence and resist reunification by force, which risks drawing Taiwan into a dangerous war. Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait requires firmly upholding the One China principle and resolutely opposing Taiwan independence.

The Taiwan issue is exclusively China’s internal affair. Opposing attempts to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” and supporting China’s efforts to achieve complete national reunification, reflects the international community’s commitment to the One China principle.

China and Uzbekistan are comprehensive strategic partners in the new era, consistently supporting each other on matters concerning core interests. Uzbekistan has always strictly adhered to the One China principle, firmly opposing any form of Taiwan independence, and supports the Chinese government’s efforts toward national reunification. The Chinese side highly values this position.

We are ready to comprehensively implement important agreements between the two heads of state with the Uzbek side, jointly uphold the achievements of victory in World War II, the post-war international order, and international justice, defend the authority of UNGA Resolution 2758 and the central role of the UN in global affairs, contribute to improving global governance, and make a new, more substantial contribution to peace, stability, and prosperity worldwide.

Yu Jun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uzbekistan

The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of UzDaily.