In May of this year, I introduced the historical background of the Taiwan issue to my Iranian friends from the perspective of three major chronologies. Today, I will explain to my Iranian friends why we must uphold UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and abide by the “one China” principle from three aspects: jurisprudence, historical facts, and international agreements.
I. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758: A solid legal foundation
On October 25, 1971, the 26th United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted resolution 2758, which “restores all rights to the People’s Republic of China and decides to recognize the representative of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China at the United Nations.”
This resolution solemnly confirms that there is only one China in the world, that the Taiwan area is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China. The official legal opinion of the United Nations Secretariat’s Legal Affairs Bureau clearly states that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ to be part of China without independent status,” and that “the ‘authorities’ of ‘Taipei’…are not considered to enjoy the status of any form of government.” This is the United Nations’ consistent and clearly documented position.
It is important to clarify that the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and the flight of the remnants of Chiang Kai-shek’s army to Taiwan merely constituted a change of political power within China. China’s status as a subject of international law has not changed, nor has its sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries. Based on the fact and premise that “Taiwan is part of Chinese territory,” UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 returned the representation and seats of all of China, including Taiwan, to the Chinese government. There is a clear logical chain and irrefutable legal basis for this.
II. Taiwan belongs to China: irreplaceable historical evidence
Taiwan has been an integral part of China’s territory since ancient times, and historical records are conclusive. As of 1335, the Chinese central government had established an administrative agency in Taiwan and exercised administrative jurisdiction. From the Song and Yuan dynasties, China’s central government set up administrative agencies in Penghu and Taiwan, and began to exercise administrative jurisdiction over local areas. In 1684, the Qing government established Taiwan Prefecture. In 1885, Taiwan was further elevated to a province, strengthening its control over Taiwan.
In 1894, Japan began the Sino-Japanese War, and the following year forced the Qing government to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. This historical fact accurately proves that Taiwan was already part of Chinese territory before 1895. The Cairo Declaration of 1943 stipulated that “the territories stolen by Japan from China, including Manchuria, Taiwan Island, and the Penghu Islands, shall be returned to Chinese sovereignty.” The Potsdam Declaration of 1945 reaffirmed that “the conditions for Cairo are as follows.” In September of the same year, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, committing to fulfill its obligations set out in the Potsdam Declaration. On October 25, the Chinese government held a “Ceremony to Accept the Surrender of Taiwan Province in the Chinese Theater” in Taipei, and officially declared that it would resume exercising sovereignty over Taiwan.
The issue of Taiwan’s status was completely resolved in 1945 when the Chinese people won the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese aggression. The victory won through bloody battles and great sacrifices by the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, cannot be shaken by false narratives from other countries. Clear historical evidence consistently confirms that Taiwan is a sacred and inviolable part of Chinese territory.
III. One China principle: an irreversible international agreement
When the 26th United Nations General Assembly opened in September 1971, there was widespread support for restoring the People’s Republic of China’s seat. Unwilling to accept this outcome, the United States continued its attempts to sabotage the process. It has proposed a so-called “dual representation” resolution, essentially seeking to create “two Chinas” and “one China, one Taiwan.” This attempt failed, and the proposal was effectively invalidated. This fully reflects that the general tendency of the international community to support the “one China principle” is irresistible, and that the “one China principle” as an international agreement is irreversible.
For some time now, various countries have distorted and challenged Resolution 2758, taking pains to spread the malicious lie that “Taiwan’s status is undetermined,” and misleading international public opinion. Such actions are not only serious interference in China’s internal affairs, but also a flagrant challenge to the achievements of World War II victory and the postwar international order.
The “One China Principle” is the basic prerequisite and political basis for China to establish diplomatic relations with all countries, is the basic norm of international relations, and has become the universal consensus of the international community. More than 50 years have passed since the resolution was adopted, and the number of countries that have established diplomatic relations with China based on upholding this principle has increased from more than 60 countries to 183. Behind this figure is respect for the historical facts of all countries and observance of international law.
China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners and have always supported each other on issues that concern each other’s core interests and major concerns. The “one China principle” is not only the basis of China-Iran diplomatic relations, but also has been reaffirmed and confirmed many times in joint statements and other documents between the two countries. China highly values Iran’s consistent upright stance in upholding the “One China principle” and stands ready to work with Iran to continuously strengthen political mutual trust, jointly uphold the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, abide by the “One China principle” and other fundamental norms of international relations, and make corresponding contributions to maintaining world peace and stability and promoting international fairness and justice.