In an exclusive article for DKnews.kz, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Kazakhstan, Zhang Xiao, emphasized the importance of the inviolability of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the "One China" principle. The Ambassador expressed concern over attempts by certain countries, such as the United States, to revise the international order and challenge the recognition of Taiwan as an integral part of China. Zhang Xiao also highlighted the strong and strategic friendship between Kazakhstan and China, based on mutual support and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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“UNGA Resolution 2758 Should Not Be Challenged, and the ‘One China’ Principle is Unshakeable” Zhang Xiao, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan
Recently, certain forces, such as the United States, have deliberately distorted and challenged the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1971, which "decides to restore all rights to the People’s Republic of China and recognize its government’s representatives as the only legitimate representatives of China at the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek." By fueling the so-called "uncertain status of Taiwan" and advocating for Taiwan's participation in UN meetings and events, they are attempting to deny UNGA Resolution 2758 and the "One China" principle, thereby turning back the wheel of history. These actions not only challenge China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also defy international justice and conscience and undermine the post-war international order. This is both absurd and unjust.
Firstly, it is a historical fact and an international consensus that Taiwan belongs to China. Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China’s territory since ancient times. Long before the adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758, it was considered a historical fact and an international consensus that Taiwan belonged to China. This was an important political precondition for the adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758 by the General Assembly. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Declaration explicitly stated that all territories Japan had seized from the Chinese, including Taiwan, should be returned to China. In October 1945, the Chinese government declared that it had "restored sovereignty over Taiwan." Through a series of internationally recognized legal documents, China legally and de facto regained Taiwan.
In 1949, the establishment of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China replaced the Government of the Republic of China and became the sole legitimate government of China and the only lawful representative of China on the international stage. Essentially, an old regime was replaced by a new one while maintaining the same international legal entity. Such a transition does not alter China’s state sovereignty and territory, so it is entirely natural that the government of the PRC exercises all of China’s sovereign rights, including those over Taiwan. Due to the continuation of the civil war in China and interference from external forces, a special state of hostility emerged across the Taiwan Strait. However, China’s sovereignty and territory were never divided, and Taiwan’s status as part of China’s territory has never changed.
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Secondly, UNGA Resolution 2758 once and for all resolved the issue of representing all of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations. It clearly determined that only one seat in the UN could represent China—the People’s Republic of China. Recognizing the PRC as the only legitimate government representing all of China in the UN simultaneously denies Taiwan authorities the right to representation in the UN. Politically, legally, and procedurally, the resolution definitively settled the matter of China’s representation, including Taiwan, in the United Nations. It unequivocally states that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a separate country. The document also stipulates that China holds only one seat in the United Nations, and the representative of the PRC government is the sole legitimate representative of China in the UN, ruling out the possibility of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan".
For over 50 years, China’s contributions to the UN and many other international organizations have included the GDP of Taiwan. Some individuals in the United States and other countries have maliciously spread misconceptions that UNGA Resolution 2758 “does not resolve the status of Taiwan” and “does not mention the term ‘Taiwan.’” Such behavior is essentially unfounded and has been rejected by the vast majority of UN member states. By raising this old issue again, the United States is essentially condoning and supporting separatist activities advocating for “Taiwan independence”.
Thirdly, the “One China” principle is a general consensus of the international community and a core component of upholding the basic norms of international relations. UNGA Resolution 2758 is a decision taken by the UN General Assembly to fulfill its duties under the UN Charter. There is no doubt that all member states must adhere to it. This is a requirement of the UN Charter, a commitment made in writing by all countries when joining the UN, and an obligation that UN member states must fulfill. The “One China” principle is also the fundamental precondition and political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with all countries. Taiwan is a province of China, not a sovereign country. It has no basis, reason, or right to participate in international organizations and treaty bodies, such as the United Nations, that are open only to sovereign countries, or to participate in the activities of such organizations and bodies without the consent of the central government.
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There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China, which is the most comprehensive and accurate expression of the “One China” principle and the only one that is valid. There is no reason or space for "customizing" this principle. If one adheres to the “One China” principle, it should be implemented in concrete policies and practical actions, and Taiwan should not be treated as an independent country or political entity, nor should there be any official contacts or exchanges with Taiwan.
Otherwise, this would be a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, which would inevitably undermine political mutual trust with China and shake the political foundation of bilateral relations.
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent comprehensive strategic partners. Both sides have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests, such as sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The Kazakh side has clearly and publicly stated its solemn position of firmly supporting the “One China” principle and opposing “Taiwan independence.” In July of this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping successfully made a state visit to Kazakhstan. The heads of the two states signed and issued the “Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan,” which once again emphasized that “Kazakhstan firmly supports the ‘One China’ principle, i.e., there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China. Kazakhstan opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and external interference, affirms that it will not engage in any official exchanges with Taiwan, and supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification”.
Standing at a new historical starting point, China-Kazakhstan relations have entered another “golden thirty years,” and cooperation in various fields continues to achieve new and significant progress, consistently benefiting the two peoples. Both sides will continue to fully utilize the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, deepen political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, firmly support each other's core interests, and work together to build a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future characterized by everlasting friendship, high mutual trust, shared benefits, shared hardships, and shared prosperity, as well as promoting the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.
