Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji Wang Yuan Publishes Signed Article “Upholding the One-China Principle to Strengthen China-Fiji Friendship” on Mainstream[...]

On May 19, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Wang Yuan published a signed article "Upholding the one-China Principle to Strengthen China-Fiji Friendship" on mainstream Fijian newspaper, the Fiji Sun and the Fiji Times, introducing the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi Jiping's important remarks in his meeting with Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun of the Chinese Kuomingtang party, expounding the history of the Taiwan question and the one-China principle, and emphasizing that the one-China principle is the premise and foundation of sound and steady growth of China-Fiji relations. The full text is as follows.

During Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka's official visit to China in 2024, China and Fiji signed a joint statement. In this statement, the Fijian side reaffirms its adherence to the one-China Principle, and recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The one-China principle is the foundation of China-Fiji relations. If the foundation is shaken, whatever above it cannot stand. Some might wonder why the Taiwan question is so important for China. I will walk our Fijian friends through the history of the Taiwan question and the one-China principle.

History cannot be falsified-Taiwan's status as part of China has already been settled.

Historical and legal precedents unequivocally affirm that Taiwan has been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since ancient times. Over 1,000 years ago, successive central governments of China began establishing administrative institutions and exercising jurisdiction over Taiwan. In 1684, the last imperial Qing Dynasty of China established Taiwan Prefecture under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province. In 1885, the Qing government elevated Taiwan to the 20th province of China. Generations of Chinese have cultivated and thrived on the island, allowing Chinese culture to take root, flourish, and endure.

In 1895, shortly after Fiji became a British colony, the first colonial governor Arthur Gordon arrived in Fiji. In the same year, similar sufferings were inflicted on China by another imperialist country-Japan. Japan seized Taiwan of China through the unequal Treaty of Shimonoseki. On December 9, 1941, the Chinese government formally declared war on Japan, proclaiming the annulment of all treaties and agreements between the two nations. On December 1, 1943, the Cairo Declaration, issued by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, stated that all territories stolen by Japan, including Taiwan, should be restored to China. This commitment was reaffirmed in the Potsdam Proclamation, signed by China, the U.S., and the U.K. on July 26, 1945, and later endorsed by the Soviet Union. On August 15, Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Proclamation and surrendered unconditionally. The following month, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, pledging to faithfully fulfill the provisions of the proclamation. On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government announced the resumption of sovereignty over Taiwan. It held a ceremony in Taipei, marking the formal recovery of Taiwan de jure and de facto. With this, Taiwan was restored to China, and its status as part of Chinese territory was conclusively resolved.

The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community, and brooks no distortion or denial.

On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded, becoming the successor to the Republic of China (1912-1949), and the Central People's Government of the PRC became the only legitimate government of the whole of China. The new government replaced the previous regime in a situation where China, as a subject under international law, did not change and China's sovereignty and inherent territory did not change. As a natural result, the government of the PRC should enjoy and exercise China's full sovereignty, which includes its sovereignty over Taiwan.

At its 26th session in October 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which undertook "to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations." This resolution settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues of China's representation in the U.N., and it covered the whole country, including Taiwan. It also spelled out that China has one single seat in the U.N., so there is no such thing as "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". It is clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.N. Secretariat that "the United Nations considers 'Taiwan' as a province of China with no separate status", and the "'authorities' in 'Taipei' are not considered to... enjoy any form of government status". The island is referred to as "Taiwan, Province of China".

The one-China principle has overwhelming support in the international community. More and more countries are standing with China-not only reaffirming their commitment to the one-China principle and recognizing Taiwan as part of China, but also taking a clear stand against all activities for "Taiwan independence" and supporting the cause of China's reunification.

National reunification reflects the will of the people and is an unstoppable trend.

Last month, General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Communist Party of China Central Committee met in Beijing with Cheng Li-wun, Chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party. General Secretary Xi emphasized that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the Chinese nation. People of all ethnic groups, including compatriots in Taiwan, have jointly built a unified multi-ethnic country. No matter how the international landscape and the situation across the Taiwan Strait may evolve, the overarching trend toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not change, and the prevailing momentum for the Chinese on both sides of the Strait to come together will not change. General Secretary Xi also expressed the willingness to work with all political parties in Taiwan, including the KMT, as well as groups and people from all sectors, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, promote peace across the Taiwan Strait, improve the well-being of the people and advance national rejuvenation, on the basis of the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence", so that the future of cross-Strait relations is owned by the Chinese people.

Great progress has been made in cross-Strait relations over the past more than seven decades. Increased exchanges, broader cooperation and closer interactions have brought tangible benefits to people across the Strait, especially of Taiwan. This fully demonstrates that cross-Strait amity and cooperation are mutually beneficial. The strong desire of compatriots on both sides to move closer together is something no force can suppress, while the historical trend of cross-Strait exchanges, interaction and integration is something no force can stop. The development of cross-Strait relations, particularly the wide-ranging policies and measures from the mainland that benefit Taiwan compatriots, accords with the heartfelt wishes of the vast majority of the residents in Taiwan and has shaped mainstream public opinion on the island that calls for peace, development, exchange and cooperation.

In the great process of achieving China's complete national reunification, the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are nothing more than ants trying to shake a tree or mantises attempting to stop a chariot. The 23 million Taiwan compatriots are all members of the Chinese nation-they are all Chinese. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people on both sides of the Straits; it can and must be decided jointly by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots.

Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has always upheld respect for Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries. China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island Countries (PICs), fully respects the will of PICs, fully respects the ethnic and cultural traditions of PICs, and fully respects PICs' efforts to seek strength through unity. China hopes that PICs will continue to respect China, particularly China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for its economic and social development. The Middle East conflict is straining global fuel supplies. Fiji and other PICs are feeling the impact. China stands ready to provide support for those countries to the best of our capacity to help them weather the storm. China is willing to work with Fiji and other PICs to respect each other's core interests, carry out practical cooperation in various fields, share development dividends from Chinese modernization, increase peoples' welfare, advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.