Special Edition
21 May 2024
Welcome to China-EU Dynamics Special Edition! In this edition, we will explain the fact concerning Taiwan as an inalienable part of China, the basic principles of the Chinese government for resolving the Taiwan question, and the basic meaning of the one-China principle. We will also bring you the EU's political commitments on the Taiwan question, as well as the comments of the Chinese government on the assumption of office of the Taiwan region's new leader. Enjoy reading!
Taiwan is Part of China - This is an Indisputable Fact
Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. The earliest historical records documenting the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people were to be found, among others, in Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer compiled in the year 230. From the 12th century onwards, the central governments of China all set up administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan.
Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer compiled in the year 230
On April 17, 1895, the defeated Qing government was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan to Japan.
On December 9, 1941, the Chinese government issued a declaration of war against Japan, and proclaimed that all treaties regarding relations between China and Japan had been abrogated, and China would recover Taiwan.
Xinhua Daily -- December 10, 1941
The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the US and the UK on December 1, 1943, stated that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Taiwan, should be restored to China.
The Cairo Declaration -- December 1, 1943
The Potsdam Proclamation signed by China, the US and the UK on July 26, 1945 and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union reiterated: "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out."
The Potsdam Proclamation -- July 26,1945
On October 25, 1945, 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.
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded, becoming the successor to the Republic of China (1912-1949), and the Central People's Government became the only legitimate government of the whole of China. The KMT ruling clique retreated to Taiwan and set up a local secessionist regime with the support of external forces. The two sides of the Taiwan Straits then fell into a special state of protracted political confrontation.
The Taiwan question is a result of China’s civil war and the interference of external forces.
Despite the change of government, China, as a subject under international law, did not change, and China's sovereignty and inherent territory did not change.
Basic Principles of the Chinese Government for Resolving the Taiwan Question
Peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems are basic principles of the Chinese government for resolving the Taiwan question and the best approach to realizing national reunification. We will strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts. In the meantime, we will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any way.
One-China Principle
The one-China principle has a clear and unambiguous meaning:
▶️ There is but one China in the world.
▶️ Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
▶️The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. It was reaffirmed in UNGA Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971, and is the political foundation on which China develops relations with all countries. To date, 183 countries, including most European countries, have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle.
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 adopted on October 25,1971
Nauru became the 183rd country to establish diplomatic relations with China--January 24, 2024
The EU's Political Commitments on the Taiwan Question
The one-China principle serves as the political foundation of China-EU relations. At the very beginning when China and the EU established diplomatic relations, the European side has made open and clear commitments on the Taiwan question.
Sir Christopher Soames, then Vice-President of the European Economic Community (EEC) visited China in 1975. It was during this visit that China and the EEC agreed to establish official relations. After consultation between the two sides, Xinhua News Agency reported Soames’s unilateral speech on the Taiwan question at a press conference in Beijing. Sir Soames stated that “all the Member States of the Community recognized the government of China and had taken positions with regard to the Taiwan question acceptable to the People’s Republic”. He also confirmed that “according to these positions, the Community does not entertain any official relations with Taiwan or have any agreements with it”. Such are binding legal obligations of the EU and its member states.
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai met with visiting Vice-President of the EEC Sir Christopher Soames -- May 5, 1975
HR/VP Borrell reiterated the EU's position on the Taiwan question in an interview with the Foreign Policy magazine recently. He underscored that "The EU doesn’t recognize the statehood of Taiwan and will not do it. It’s one single China. It means that we are not going to recognize the statehood of Taiwan".
Comments on the assumption of office of Taiwan region's new leader
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office
Lai Ching-te has sent "a dangerous signal" of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his speech.
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Strait are incompatible as fire and water. "We will never tolerate any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts in any form."
China must and will be reunified. No matter how the situation on the island changes and who assumes the regional leader, it will not change the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, or impede the historical trend of national reunification.
▶️The one-China principle cannot be violated.
▶️Separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence" are doomed to fail.
▶️The general trend of China's reunification is irreversible.
Finally, let's listen to the stories of several individuals from the Taiwan region.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of China or our Mission, except those from the official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, our Mission and other Chinese governmental websites.
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