TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan on Friday rejected Beijing’s criticism of President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) National Day address, in which he urged China to stop distorting international agreements such as United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from global participation.
In his speech, Lai called on Beijing to “fulfill its responsibilities as a major power,” cease misrepresenting UN resolutions and World War II documents, and renounce the use of force and coercion to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He said Taiwan remains committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, per CNA.
Adopted in 1971, UNGA Resolution 2758 recognized the People’s Republic of China and expelled representatives of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) from the United Nations. Beijing has since cited the resolution as the basis for its “One China Principle,” which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
Taipei has long rejected this interpretation, saying the resolution resolved the question of China’s seat in the UN but did not address Taiwan’s sovereignty.
In response to Lai’s remarks, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office accused the president of “stubbornly upholding Taiwan independence” and “exaggerating the so-called Chinese threat.” TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said Lai was seeking to “rely on foreign powers” and “undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
“No matter what Lai Ching-te says or does, it cannot change the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China, nor alter the international consensus that Taiwan belongs to China,” Chen said. “Nor can it hinder the historical trend that China will inevitably achieve reunification.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) echoed the criticism at a press briefing, calling Lai’s speech “a repetition of the fallacies of Taiwan independence.” Guo cited the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and Japan’s Instrument of Surrender as affirmations of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.
Guo also warned that China “firmly opposes any form of official contact” between foreign governments and Taiwan, urging other countries to “stop interfering in China’s internal affairs” and to avoid supporting “separatist activities.”
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council issued a statement Friday evening rejecting the Chinese government’s claims. It said that in the face of increasing regional tensions, Taiwan has strengthened its determination to defend itself and safeguard national sovereignty.
The council criticized Beijing for using military intimidation, citing frequent incursions by Chinese aircraft and vessels into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. It said China’s actions have “repeatedly stirred up trouble in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the South China Sea,” calling Beijing a troublemaker.
