Regarding issues related to Taiwan
By Xing Haiming
On Aug. 25 The Korea Times published a signed article by Joseph Wu as “Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China.” The article openly incites South Korea to support the Taiwan authorities' scheme to “join the United Nations” and to expand so called “international space of survival” for the Taiwan region under the guise of so called “participation in international cooperation.”
It openly preached a false impression of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” and a flagrant provocation to the “One China Principle” as a basic norm governing international relations. This despicable action conducted by the Taiwan authorities aims to separate Taiwan from China and seeks to achieve Taiwan's independence.
As the ambassador of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the Republic of Korea (ROK) I am strongly opposed to the points of this article and should clarify the stern position of the Chinese government on Taiwan-related issues.
There is only one China in the world, the government of the PRC is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The one China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a universal consensus of the international community.
Twenty nine years ago, our two countries officially signed a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relationships between the PRC and the ROK, and clearly announced that the ROK government recognizes the PRC government as the sole legal government of China, and will also respect the position of the PRC government that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. It provided the political foundation of our bilateral relationship.
The U.N. is an inter-governmental international organization composed of sovereign states, Taiwan as a province of China is ineligible for membership of the U.N. In October 1971, the 26th session of the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 2758 which announced clearly and definitely that the representative of the PRC government is the sole legal representative of China in the U.N.
Thus, the hidden intentions of the Taiwan authorities' preach of so-called joining the U.N. just aims to separate Taiwan from China and is doomed to fail.
Furthermore, on the basis of the one China principle, in an acceptable mode approved by the Chinese government, Taiwan as a region of China can participate in some international organizations. It has already participated in more than 800 non-government international organizations under the names “Chinese Taipei” or “Taipei, China.”
Considering the needs and welfare of Taiwan compatriots, the Chinese government has no objection to the development of non-government economic and cultural exchanges between the Taiwan region and other countries. Taking into account the aforementioned facts, no one could deny that there is broad economic and cultural international space for Taiwan, as long as the one China principle is upheld.
But the Taiwan authorities are not satisfied with the status quo, the “international space of survival,” and what they want is completely with political ends, aims to instigate the international community to recognize the legality of the so called “Republic of China.” Their ultimate purpose is to create “two Chinas” and separate Taiwan from China. China will never accept it and will firmly oppose it.
Recent years have witnessed the sound development of China-ROK relations. Our strategic cooperative relations have enjoyed a sound momentum of growth and beneficial cooperation across the board is developing rapidly.
The next year will present important opportunities to deepen bilateral ties. So I sincerely hope that all sectors of South Korea's society, including media, will never forget the original intention of the establishment of our bilateral relationships, upholding a correct position on Taiwan-related issues and take concrete common actions to protect the political foundation of China-ROK relations. Therefrom our bilateral relationship will maintain sustainable development and move to the next level.
Xing Haiming is Chinese ambassador to Korea.