Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun Publishes a Signed Article Titled“One-China Principle is a Basic Norm Governing International Relations and a Prevailing Consensus of[...]

On April 30, H.E. Amb. Yang Xiaokun published a signed article titled "One-China Principle is a Basic Norm Governing International Relations and a Prevailing Consensus of the International Community" in Lesotho's mainstream media Lesotho Times and the Post, introducing the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the one-China principle. Here's the full text:

Last week, Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan authorities, canceled his trip to Eswatini. The Taiwan authorities said the reason is that relevant countries abruptly revoked overflight clearance. Rather, it is an inevitable result of relevant countries' and the international community's adherence to the one-China principle, which is fully consistent with international law and basic norms governing international relations. It fully reflects the fundamental realities of today's international political landscape: the one-China principle is where the arc of history bends and public opinion trends, and to uphold it is the right thing to do. No one can ever stop the eventual reunification of China. The separatist attempts aimed at "Taiwan independence" are just futile and doomed to fail.

The one-China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community. The core meaning of the one-China principle includes: there is but one China in the world, the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Every country should firmly oppose all forms of "Taiwan independence", and resolutely support the Chinese government to realize national reunification. It is also the premise and political foundation for China to develop relations with all other countries.

In history, Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. Archaeological discoveries and research findings regularly attest to the profound historical and cultural ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The earliest recorded reference to the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people is in the Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer of the year A.D. 230. Numerous historical records document the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people since the very early days.

At its 26th session in 1971, the U.N. 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." With categorical words, UNGA Resolution 2758 reaffirms that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representative of the whole of China. The adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758 not only restored China's lawful seat in the United Nations but also institutionalized the one-China principle within the U.N. system and the broader international community.

In reality, the one-China principle has been widely recognized by the United Nations and its member states and has gained broad support among developing countries, including those in Africa.

The United Nations considers Taiwan as a province of China and the Taiwan authorities do not enjoy any form of governmental status. After the adoption of the Resolution, all official U.N. documents referred to Taiwan as "Taiwan, province of China." It was 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." To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. All African countries, with the sole exception of Eswatini, have established diplomatic ties with China. These 53 countries, together with the African Union, have adopted the Beijing Declaration at the 2024 FOCAC Summit. They have reiterated on many occasions that they firmly uphold the one-China principle, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and they firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

Chinese mainland is always dedicated to safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various sectors. On April 10, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party (Taiwan's major opposition party). General Secretary Xi expressed the willingness to work with all political parties in Taiwan, including the Chinese Kuomintang party, as well as groups and people from all sectors, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, promote peace across the 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, which embodies the one-China principle, opposing "Taiwan independence."

Chinese mainland has also rolled out a package of 10 policies and measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, including enhancing communication, encouraging business growth, and promoting cultural exchanges. The measures, aimed at improving the lives of people on both sides of the Strait and meeting the needs of Taiwan compatriots, mark another important step in promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various sectors. The measures align with the shared aspiration of people on both sides of the Strait for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, and respond to the strong expectations of the public in Taiwan.

In contrast, Lai Ching-te authorities cling stubbornly to the separatist position for "Taiwan independence". They are not making Taiwan any safer by squandering money on weapons, but are turning Taiwan into a cash machine for the countries selling the weapons. Lai Ching-te is a troublemaker through and through. His attempted trip was essentially an effort to conduct external engagements under the guise of the so-called "ROC president", in an attempt to break through the one-China principle. It's very clear that there's no longer a so-called "ROC president" in the world anymore. Anyone who wears that false title is acting against history and will only invite disgrace upon themselves.

China and Lesotho have learned from history that adherence to the one-China principle is the essential political foundation for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations. China highly appreciates the long-standing and firm commitment of the Lesotho Government, Parliament and people from all sectors to the one-China principle, and their reaffirmation of this position through statements and other official channels. In the Joint Communiqué issued by the two governments in January this year, the Lesotho side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and recognition that there is but 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 sole legal government representing the whole of China. Lesotho resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge to its authority.

Such firm commitment is not only the political foundation of China-Lesotho relations, but also a vivid reflection of the ever-deepening political mutual trust between our two countries. On this basis, China is willing to advance China-Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level and make it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems.