Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Advisor, Consultant, Researcher at Global South Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Center, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

Few issues are as deeply rooted in China’s national consciousness, history, and sovereignty as the Taiwan question. For the Chinese people, the matter of Taiwan is not merely a political issue—it is an emotional, historical, and moral one. It touches upon the very core of China’s national identity, territorial integrity, and post-colonial revival. The concept of “One China” is not an abstract policy but a solemn truth grounded in international law, affirmed by the United Nations, and accepted by the vast majority of the world community.

As China celebrates its 76th National Day, the reaffirmation of this principle stands stronger than ever. On September 30, 2025, President Xi Jinping, in his National Day address, reiterated that China will “resolutely oppose any attempt at ‘Taiwan independence’ and external interference, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” His words echoed the sentiments of 1.4 billion Chinese citizens who view the Taiwan issue as a red line that must never be crossed.

UN Resolution 2758: A Historical and Legal Foundation

The global consensus on the Taiwan question was firmly established on October 25, 1971, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, restoring the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) at the United Nations. The resolution explicitly recognized the PRC as “the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations” and expelled “the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” from the UN system.

This was not merely a procedural change—it was a definitive and irreversible statement of international law. Resolution 2758 resolved once and for all the issue of representation of China in the UN and its specialized agencies. Since then, Taiwan has been recognized in all official UN documents as “Taiwan, Province of China.”

In September 2025, the Chinese government released a detailed Position Paper on UNGA Resolution 2758, reiterating that the resolution “completely settled the issue of China’s representation in the UN, leaving no room for ambiguity.” The document condemned recent efforts by some Western powers, particularly the United States, to “distort and hollow out” the resolution in order to create space for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations as a separate entity.

Beijing’s stance is clear: any such attempt is a violation of both international law and the political foundation of China’s diplomatic relations with over 180 countries that recognize the One-China principle. Resolution 2758 remains the legal cornerstone upon which global consensus on Taiwan rests.

The One-China Principle: Clarity Beyond Controversy

The One-China principle is simple, clear, and universally acknowledged:

There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

This position has been affirmed repeatedly by international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. It forms the political basis of China’s diplomatic relations with all countries that have established official ties with Beijing.

Any suggestion of “two Chinas,” “one China, one Taiwan,” or “Taiwan’s participation as an observer” under false pretenses runs counter to this principle and constitutes interference in China’s internal affairs. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of China are not negotiable, and the question of Taiwan’s status is not a matter of interpretation—it is a matter of fact.

Historical Continuity: The Long Arc of Reunification

For centuries, Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China. The historical records from the Ming and Qing dynasties document the administration, settlement, and governance of the island by Chinese authorities. Following the end of World War II, Taiwan was lawfully returned to China in accordance with international agreements such as the Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Proclamation (1945).

However, the brief civil conflict in China led to a divided administration, with remnants of the Kuomintang retreating to Taiwan in 1949. This did not alter Taiwan’s status as part of China—it was and remains a domestic matter arising from unfinished civil conflict, not an international dispute.

The Chinese Civil War did not create two sovereign states; it temporarily divided administrative control within one nation. Therefore, attempts by some to equate Taiwan’s status with that of an independent entity are both ahistorical and legally untenable.

The Sensitivity of the Taiwan Issue: A National Red Line

Among all of China’s foreign policy issues, none evokes deeper emotion or greater unity than Taiwan. The Chinese people—across all regions, ethnicities, and generations—view the island’s eventual reunification as a matter of national dignity and historical justice.

The sensitivity stems from centuries of humiliation when foreign powers imposed division and subjugation upon China. The era of semi-colonialism, beginning with the Opium Wars, left indelible scars on the Chinese psyche. The Taiwan question is thus a symbol of national rejuvenation—the final chapter in China’s long struggle against external interference and territorial dismemberment.

For this reason, Chinese leaders have repeatedly described Taiwan as a “red line” that must not be crossed. Any external attempt to manipulate the issue for geopolitical gain risks undermining peace and stability in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

China has exercised maximum restraint and continues to advocate for peaceful reunification under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, offering the broadest autonomy and protection for the interests of people in Taiwan. However, Beijing has made it equally clear that it will never renounce the use of all necessary means to defend national sovereignty should separatist forces cross the line of independence.

External Interference: A Source of Instability

In recent years, Washington and certain Western capitals have intensified efforts to distort UN Resolution 2758 and elevate Taiwan’s international profile. These maneuvers—through arms sales, official visits, and misleading narratives—aim to undermine China’s sovereignty and provoke confrontation.

Such actions not only violate the One-China commitment made in the Three Joint Communiqués between China and the United States but also jeopardize regional stability. By “playing the Taiwan card,” some countries are engaging in zero-sum geopolitics that threaten to undo decades of peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing’s position remains firm: the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair and admits no external interference. The path to stability lies not in provocation, but in respect for the commitments already made under international law and diplomatic agreements.

Xi Jinping’s Vision: Reunification as Part of National Rejuvenation

In his address on the eve of the 76th National Day, President Xi Jinping underscored that advancing Chinese modernization and formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) must go hand in hand with “resolutely opposing Taiwan independence and external interference.”

Xi’s vision is deeply intertwined with the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation—the realization of a prosperous, strong, and unified China by 2049, the centenary of the People’s Republic.

Reunification is not simply a political goal; it is a moral and historical imperative. It completes the arc of China’s modern journey—from division to unity, from humiliation to dignity, and from isolation to leadership.

Peaceful reunification remains the preferred path, guided by the principles of dialogue, development, and mutual respect. But as Xi has said, “The will of the people cannot be defied, and the trend of history cannot be reversed.” Taiwan’s eventual return to the motherland is thus seen not as a question of if, but when.

Global Implications: Stability Through Clarity

The One-China principle is not only in China’s interest—it is in the world’s. It serves as a foundation for peace in East Asia and a stabilizing pillar of global order. For decades, adherence to this principle has enabled China to maintain stable relations with major powers and engage constructively in international affairs.

Distorting this principle would open the door to chaos—inviting confrontation, uncertainty, and the erosion of trust in international law. The UN Secretary-General’s office, in reaffirming the validity of Resolution 2758 in 2025, emphasized that the United Nations “abides by the One-China principle and considers Taiwan a province of China.” This reiteration reaffirms the global consensus and the institutional integrity of the UN system.

A Call for Respect and Understanding

The world must recognize that the Taiwan question touches upon the emotional core of the Chinese nation. It is not an issue of ideology, democracy, or regional politics—it is a question of sovereignty, unity, and national dignity.

True friends of China understand that respecting the One-China principle does not mean taking sides—it means respecting international law, honoring historical truths, and preserving peace.

Dialogue, not provocation; cooperation, not confrontation—these are the pathways to maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait. The international community has much to gain by supporting China’s peaceful efforts rather than enabling division.

One China, One Future

At its heart, the One-China principle is about justice—about recognizing the reality that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of it. Resolution 2758 settled this question more than five decades ago. To reopen it today is to challenge not China alone, but the very foundations of the international system.

The Chinese people, united in spirit and purpose, will never waver on this issue. As President Xi Jinping has stated repeatedly, “The complete reunification of the motherland is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

The world must understand and respect this truth. The peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific depend upon it. The One-China principle is not just China’s position—it is a cornerstone of global stability, mutual respect, and the future harmony of nations.

In upholding it, the international community affirms its faith in law over chaos, truth over distortion, and unity over division. And in doing so, it stands on the right side of history.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)