中文
A citizen runs in front of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, October 1, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]
By Marriyam Siddique
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol claimed that "the Taiwan question is a global issue" right before visiting the U.S. World leaders must understand that the Taiwan question is not a global issue. Instead, it is an intrinsic part of China. This kind of reckless attitude is unacceptable for China, as it violates the 1992 Consensus. To unify the Taiwan region peacefully with China is a concern for the Chinese people.
China is a powerful state with the ability and political will to protect its sovereignty and national unity from others. For China, the Taiwan question is domestic, involving only the Chinese people. The U.S. and its allies should not escalate the Taiwan question into an "identity crisis," it is grounded in the "one country, two systems" doctrine.
Earlier in April, the leader of China's Taiwan region Tsai Ing-wen once again violated the one-China principle with her "egocentric provocation," further elevating tensions over the island. Her "transit" via the United States to Guatemala and Belize and meeting with the House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy is severe "political wagering." Tsai should realize that these kinds of political gambling based on "defending democracy" will have serious repercussions.
Specifically, at this point that she stressed "the need to accelerate arms deliveries to Taiwan region" during her meeting with the U.S. speaker. The peace and tranquillity of the Taiwan Straits will be disrupted by such assertions and arms negotiations with Taiwan's leaders, especially given the sensitive state of relations between China and the U.S. There is currently a "cold peace" between China and the U.S., but if the "Taiwan card" is deliberately played "to contain" China, tensions will rise.
Taiwan region's status as an "inviolable and inseparable" part of China is a given. One of the central tenets of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the peaceful reunification of the Taiwan region with the Chinese mainland. Despite this, Beijing has stated that it must show its policy intended to deter the threat presented to China's territorial integrity and sovereignty by the U.S. and separatist leader Tsai.
Metal barricades placed near the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States, March 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
As an awakening to those who oppose China's peaceful unification with the Taiwan region, the country's armed forces have conducted three days of drills to show that they will not stand for foreign interference in China's domestic affairs. Following Tsai's transit, the U.S. criticized "Beijing for overreacting" to military drills. However, the U.S. is the spoiler caught in the "felonious provocation" it attempted to instigate.
Regarding China's sovereignty and national integrity, international law is unambiguous. Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly shows that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations." It is the international community's unified voice of justice.
In reality, the U.S. is sabotaging efforts toward a peaceful unification of the Taiwan region by supporting regional pro-independence leaders like Tsai. In doing so, the U.S. is willingly not pursuing the Joint Communique as a policy execution, which is the cornerstone of diplomatic ties between the PRC and the U.S. Under customary international law, the joint communiques are legally binding on the U.S. and carry the impact of the law. The interpretation of those joint communiques show that the U.S. support for pro-independence elements in the Taiwan region is a blatant breach of international law.
Though the U.S. publicly declares its adherence to the one-China principle, its leaders are actively attempting to turn the Taiwan question into "an identity crisis" with the backing of its allies. During a recent meeting, foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries made what can only be described as "irresponsible statements" regarding the Taiwan region and demonstrated their support for anti-China radicals.
China's stance on the Taiwan question is highly explicit. Reunifying the Taiwan region with the rest of China is crucial to accomplishing the "Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation." By backing anti-Beijing politicians, the U.S. has disrupted peace and stability across the Straits and has no right to question China's response.
Unquestionably, China would respond with countermeasures if "outrageous elements" tried intervening and creating roadblocks to China's national reunification. Therefore, the U.S. should not question China's sovereignty over the island of Taiwan, as the latter's stance cannot be altered by "provocations and containment politics."
Marriyam Siddique is an independent researcher who has a doctorate in international relations from Jilin University, China.
