How China Has Manipulated UN Policy on Taiwan

 

This ongoing injustice stems primarily from China’s deliberate misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758. Starting decades ago, and intensifying in recent months, Beijing has persistently conflated this resolution with its own “one China principle” and falsely asserted that the Resolution reflects the global consensus that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Moreover, China makes the false claim that Resolution 2758 grants it the authority to represent Taiwan within the UN system. 

One can easily find the Resolution online; equally, one will easily conclude that all of these claims are objectively false by reading the very short Resolution itself.

 

These dishonest and manipulative tactics only serve to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and deny the legitimate right of the Taiwanese people to participate in global governance. Therefore, in response, the Taiwanese government has launched the 2024 campaign for UN participation with a focus on three critical issues:

    1. Addressing the threat posed by China’s distortion of Resolution 2758 to regional stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific.

    2. Highlighting the fact that Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system, which would enhance our ability to contribute to realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    3. Calling on the UN Secretariat to maintain neutrality, stop erroneously citing UNGA Resolution 2758, and grant Taiwanese nationals and journalists access to UN premises for legitimate activities.

 

Above all, the global community must recognise that Resolution 2758 does not include a single line regarding Taiwan being part of China, nor does it authorise the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN. In fact, Resolution 2758 makes absolutely no mention of Taiwan at all. 

 

Together with like-minded partners across the oceans, Taiwanese will continue to work diligently to combat this disinformation targeting both Taiwan and the UN.

 

The UN Charter explicitly states that one of the organisation’s primary purposes is to foster friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights. However, the UN’s echoing of China’s misinterpretation of Resolution 2758 directly contradicts this important and foundational principle, and represents a failure to safeguard the integrity and key values of the UN system. 

 

The consequences of this disinformation go far beyond values. Taiwan, as one of the largest economies in the world, is excluded from key global processes such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is despite being a global leader in environmental protection and having implemented a range of ambitious climate policies. Indeed, at COP28 in Dubai, Taiwan showed clear its commitment to climate action by announcing a US$10 million contribution to establishing the Climate Transition Fund in collaboration with four Pacific allies. As with many of today’s most pressing global issues, the threat of climate change knows no borders. Depriving the world of Taiwan’s expertise and experience harms everyone. 

 

Similarly, the absence of Taiwan from INTERPOL creates a dangerous gap in global law enforcement efforts. Despite facing obstacles, such as a lack of access to INTERPOL’s I-24/7 global police communications system and other related databases, Taiwan is fully committed to the cause of combatting transnational crime. This exclusion not only poses a threat to Taiwan’s security but also compromises global safety.

 

It is high time for the United Nations to recognise that genuine global peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations can only be achieved through Taiwan’s full participation in the international community. The exclusion of 23.5 million people from global dialogue and decision-making processes not only harms the Taiwanese people, but also deprives the world of Taiwan’s valuable contributions and expertise.

 

As we face another UNGA session, the international community as a whole must take a serious look at the unjust exclusion of Taiwan and take concrete steps to address this longstanding issue. Only by allowing Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system, can the global body truly embody the spirit of “leaving no one behind” and work collectively towards the goals of achieving peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for all.