Around the time of the United Nations General Assembly in recent years, the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces seized the opportunity to clamor about so-called ‘Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations.’ And this year is no exception. Recently, Mr. Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, ‘Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines,’ published an article in some Philippine newspapers, falsely claiming that ‘supporting Taiwan’s UN participation does not contradict the Philippines’ one-China policy.’ Such remarks are untenable in both fact and law, and are both absurd and dangerous.
I. The One-China principle is a basic norm of international relations
It is well known that there is but one China in the world, the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The Taiwan question is one left over by the Chinese civil war. Shortly after the end of World War II, a civil war broke out in China. After the defeat of the Kuomintang led by Chiang Kai-shek, it retreated to Taiwan, and the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have since fallen into a special state of long-term political confrontation. On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China was founded, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China became the sole legal government representing the whole of China and the sole legal representative of China in the international community. The one-China principle is both a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm of international relations, and it is also the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with countries around the world.
II. UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 once and for all settled the q2uestion of Taiwan’s status
UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, fully reflects and solemnly confirms the one-China principle. It resolved, politically, legally, and procedurally, the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations in a clear and comprehensive manner. It made clear that there is only one seat for China in the United Nations and that there is no such thing as ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan.’ China’s representation in the United Nations is, of course, the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan. After the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, the official documents of the United Nations have referred to Taiwan as ‘Taiwan, Province of China.’
III. Taiwan’s participation in the activities of international organizations must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle
With regard to the participation of China’s Taiwan region in the activities of international organizations, China’s position is consistent and clear: the matter must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. The United Nations is an intergovernmental international organization composed of sovereign states. As a province of China, Taiwan has no basis, no justification and no right to participate in the United Nations and its relevant institutions. On the premise of adhering to the one-China principle, the Chinese government has made proper arrangements for the Taiwan region’s participation in the World Health Assembly, the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and other events. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have obstinately pursued ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism and refused to accept the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle, causing the political foundation for the relevant arrangements to no longer exist, and the responsibility lies entirely with the DPP authorities. If they truly care about the rights and interests of our compatriots in Taiwan, they should genuinely return to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus.
IV. Successive Philippine governments have adhered to the one-China principle
In the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations signed between China and the Philippines on June 9, 1975, the Philippine side explicitly confirmed that ‘The Philippine Government recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, fully understands and respects the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory, and decides to remove all its official representations from Taiwan within one month from the date of signature of this communique.’ Over the 51 years since the establishment of China-Philippines diplomatic relations, successive Philippine governments have adhered to the one-China policy. As recent as September 20, 2026, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) again issued a statement that ‘reaffirms the Philippines’ adherence to its one-China Policy, in accordance with the 1975 Joint Communique between the Philippines and China, in which the Philippines recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. This policy remains consistent, clear and unchanged.’
In conclusion, UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no distortion, and the one-China principle brooks no violation. The just cause of the Chinese government and people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism, and achieving national reunification will continue to enjoy the understanding and support of countries around the world. The Chinese people are confident and capable of achieving the complete reunification of the motherland, and no individual or force can prevent the historical trend toward national rejuvenation and reunification.