One-China Policy: Totally Non-reversible, Beijing Insists

What caught my attention most was a commentary in French on the website of the Chinese Embassy in France. “A lie, even repeated a thousand times, will never become the truth,” the title of the commentary read. The Embassy was reacting to recent attempts by some Western nations and the authorities in Taiwan region to give a different interpretation to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. That reflects the One-China principle. 

Creating Their Own Narrative 
Chen Binhua, Spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council, said the Democratic Progressive Party, DPP authorities in Taiwan and certain Western countries maliciously distort UNGA Resolution 2758. Claiming "the resolution is unrelated to Taiwan" and exploiting "representation of China at the UN" to create their own narrative. 

Challenge To International Order 
They distort facts, violate international law, and openly challenge the international order and rules with the aim to create momentum for "Taiwan independence." Chen warned earlier this month that such attempts undermine the consensus of the international community on the one-China principle. 

Only One UN Seat
Earlier this year, Xinhua news agency cited Binhua as reiterating that UNGA Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, restored the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. “It made it clear that there is only one seat for China in the United Nations, precluding "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." “The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations,” Chen added. 

No More Room For Doubt
In other interventions with the media, Chen said the legal authority of the UNGA Resolution 2758 leaves no room for doubt and has been acknowledged as such worldwide. “The fact that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China can never be changed,” Binhua emphasized. 

History Proves It 
Chen said from historical facts, Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. The earliest references to this effect are to be found, among others, in the Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer compiled in the year 230 during the Three Kingdoms Period. The royal court of the Sui Dynasty had on three occasions sent troops to Taiwan. 
Starting from the Song and Yuan dynasties, the imperial central governments of China all set up administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Penghu and Taiwan. The Qing court set up a Taiwan prefecture administration in 1684. In 1885, Taiwan's status was upgraded, and it became the 20th province of China.

Recovered From Japan 
In 1894, Japan launched a war of aggression against China. In 1895, the defeated Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. The Cairo Declaration in 1943, the Potsdam Proclamation in 1945 and the Instrument of Surrender signed by Japan in the same year proved that China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto. On October 25, 1945, the Chief Executive of Taiwan Province, Chen Yi announc...