No country or person should be played with double criteria
In recent years, the orientation of the Taiwanese Democratic Advanced Party has become increasingly obvious in « gradual independence ». Some great countries, by allowing and supporting the ideas of « Taiwanese independence », further complicate the situation in the Taiwan Strait, which is a serious challenge for international order and threatens regional peace and stability. Below, we present some basic facts about the Taiwan question that we want to allow Slovenian readers to understand a more comprehensive understanding of this issue.
History should not be falsified: Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times. In Chinese historical documents, we find records of Taiwan from 230 n. no., which represents the earliest mention of Taiwan in the world. Since 1335, the central governments of Chinese dynasties have begun to carry out administrative jurisdiction over Taiwan. In 1895, after defeat in the Chinese-Japanese war, the Qing government was forced to sign an unequal contract with which Taiwan left Japan.
The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration of 1945, published by the main winners of World War II, made it clear that Taiwan, occupied by Japan, must be returned China, and Japan announced unconditional capitulation in recognition of the Potsdam Declaration. All these facts unambiguously confirm Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan and represent an important foundation for an international order established after World War II.
On the first of October 1949, the central folk government of the People’s Republic of China was established, which became the only legal and legitimate government representing the entire China. It was a change in the regime without the change of China as an subject of international law, with the sovereignty of China and its territorial boundaries remained unchanged, including its sovereignty over Taiwan. After 1949, due to the continuation of the Chinese Civil War and the interference of external forces, both sides of the Thai strait found themselves in a special state of a long political conflict, but Taiwan is always part of the Chinese territory.
There is an international consensus regarding the principle of one China. The United Nations General Assembly in 1971 with the adoption of the resolution no. 2758 made it clear that there is only one Chinese in the world, that Taiwan is not a country, but an integral part of China, that China has only one headquarters in the United Nations, and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate representative.
In accordance with this resolution, the United Nations and their specialized agencies use the official title « Taiwan, the province of China » when mentioning Taiwan. The United Nations Secretariat’s Office also made it clear in his official legal opinion that « Taiwan as one of the Chinese provinces has no independent status. »
Zhao Binghui, a division of the Chinese Embassy Business in Slovenia. Photo: work
He now has 183 countries around the world with China, all of which recognize the principle of one China. The European Union and Slovenia also consistently respect this principle, which represents the political foundation of relations between the Chinese and the European Union and between China and Slovenia. In a joint statement of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovenia, signed in 1992, it states that « the Government of the Republic of Slovenia acknowledges that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legal government of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. »
Allowing and supporting « Taiwanese independence » means the destruction of peace, and respecting the principle of one China is the cornerstone of maintaining peace.
Re -merging on a quiet path is the first choice of Chinese government in addressing the Taiwanese issue. Over the years, the Chinese government has taken several measures to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwanese strait, including the opening of direct flights between the mainland and Taiwan, the strengthening of economic cooperation and the provision of equal treatment of Taiwanese compatriots living on the continent.
However, peace in the Taiwan strait is facing serious challenges. Since 2016, the Taiwanese authorities, led by the Democratic Advanced Party, have been constantly challenging the essence of the principle of one China, implementing the « design » policy in the field of education and limiting normal exchanges between the two sides of the straits. In doing so, they seriously threatened the relations between the two sides and became a major obstacle to the peaceful development of the region.
It is even more worrying that some great countries seriously violate international law and fundamental principles of international relations, stubbornly insist on the policy of « exploiting Taiwan to restrict China », and selling advanced weapons and equipment to Taiwan, sending very wrong signals to the separatist forces that advocate « Taiwanese independence ». It should be clearly emphasized that allowing and supporting « Taiwanese independence » means undermining stability in the Taiwanese Strait and threatening regional peace. Such behavior is in complete contrast to the efforts and expectations of the international community regarding the conservation of peace.
In a joint statement of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovenia, signed in 1992, it states that « the Government of the Republic of Slovenia acknowledges that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legal government of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. » Photo: Jože Suhadolnik
The principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of the United Nations Charter, so no country or person should be played with double criteria. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should lead to supporting the complete merger of China and opposition to any form of « Taiwanese independence » and in a decisive opposition to the tolerance and support of the external forces of « Taiwanese independence ». China is ready to strengthen the exchange and cooperation with all countries of the world, including Slovenia, and to contribute positively to the preservation of the international order and the promotion of world peace.
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Zhao Binghui, a division of the Chinese Embassy Business in Slovenia.
The article is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily express the position of the editorial board.
