By: Ms.Yan Yuqing.
The U.S. government recently announced a new arms sales package worth approximately $ 11 billion to the Taiwan region of China. This move severely undermines China’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and sends a gravely wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. Chinese government expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition, and has immediately lodged a solemn protest with the U.S. side.
The Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests and the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. The Chinese government urges the U.S. to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, honor the solemn commitments made by its leaders, and cease its dangerous move of arming Taiwan. Otherwise, it will face China’s firm and forceful response.
Eighty years ago, the Chinese people achieved the great victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, leading to the subsequent restoration of Taiwan.
The historical fact that Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times is clear. The earliest documented accounts of Taiwan appeared in Chinese historical records as early as 230 AD. Throughout successive dynasties, Taiwan remained under the effective jurisdiction of the central government of China for the vast majority of the time since its incorporation into China’s administrative system. The Chinese nation has developed and thrived in Taiwan, and Chinese culture has taken deep root and flourished on the island.
From the perspective of international law, a series of international instruments have long affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. On December 1, 1943, the Chinese, U.S., and British governments issued the Cairo Declaration, proclaiming that all territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan, and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China. The Potsdam Proclamation of 1945 reiterated that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out,” and Japan, in its Instrument of Surrender, undertook to faithfully fulfill the obligations set forth in the Potsdam Proclamation.
On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government officially resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, completely resolved the issue of China’s representation in the UN politically, legally, and procedurally. The resolution clearly “recognizes the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations”.
The one-China principle is not only a core stance of China but also a universal consensus of the international community and a fundamental norm of international relations. To date, 183 countries, including Nigeria, that have established diplomatic relations with China all recognize that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
However, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae recently made serious provocative remarks concerning Taiwan, falsely claiming that “a contingency in Taiwan could constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan” and promoting the so-called “undetermined status of Taiwan.” This is a blatant challenge to historical facts and international law. More alarmingly, some figures in Japanese political circles are seeking to break through the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” pursue “nuclear sharing,” and even float the idea of possessing nuclear weapons.
These moves have exposed the ambition of Japan’s right-wing conservative forces to revive militarism and shake off the constraints of the international order. Japanese militarism once brought grave disasters to the people of Asia. Today, the Japanese government should deeply reflect on its historical crimes rather than revert to the wrong and doomed path of military expansion.
The latest U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, valued at $ 11 billion, is one of the largest in recent years. It seriously undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and sends a severely wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced countermeasures against 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 senior executives. These measures are justified, reasonable, and necessary, fully demonstrating China’s firm resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unstoppable historical trend, and national reunification is an historical inevitability. Any provocative actions that cross the line on the Taiwan question will be met with forceful responses from China. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, China and Nigeria have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, offering mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. It is believed that on the basis of the one-China principle, the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to reach new heights.
Ms.Yan Yuqing is the Chinese Consul General in Lagos
