The global community is confronting a number of unprecedented crises, including everything from the challenge of COVID-19 variants and stalled efforts on climate change to supply chain disruptions and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Now more than ever, China’s increasing rhetorical and military intimidation is jeopardizing regional peace and stability. All these will affect the security and well-being of the world. As the U.N. members meet again in New York this year, it is worth reminding these leaders that all people, including the people of Taiwan, deserve to have their voices heard and be part of the collaborative effort to tackle these challenges for the global good.
As a beacon of democracy in Asia and a force for good in the world, Taiwan is a valuable partner that can help overcome these global challenges. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Taiwan has provided humanitarian support across the globe, including much-needed masks and medical supplies, as well as developing and sharing its homegrown vaccine. Taiwan also sent over 550 tons of relief supplies to the people of Ukraine following the Russian invasion of their country, in addition to making over $40 million in donations for Ukrainian refugees.
Taiwan is committed to combating climate change, with a blueprint for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and policies in place to help achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. As the world’s 22nd largest economy in terms of GDP and a major semiconductor manufacturer, Taiwan plays a key role in global supply chains. And as a defender of democracy, Taiwan is working to safeguard the status quo and support the rules-based international order. While China uses coercion to export its brand of authoritarianism abroad, Taiwan lets its free and open society lead by example.
Sadly, due to the relentless suppression by the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan is unable to participate in the largest and most important forum of global cooperation. By deliberately conflating its “One China” principle with the U.N. General Assembly’s Resolution 2758, which determined who represents “China” in the organization some 50 years ago, Beijing is misleading the world by spreading the fallacy that Taiwan is a part of the PRC. Contrary to these false claims, the resolution does not take a position on Taiwan, nor does it include the word “Taiwan.” The long-term status quo is that the Republic of China — that is, Taiwan — and the People’s Republic of China are separate jurisdictions, neither of which is subordinate to the other. The people of Taiwan can only be represented in the international community by their free and democratically elected government.
The wrongful interpretation of Resolution 2758 has long deprived Taiwan of the right to participate in the U.N. and its specialized agencies, and it has also denied the international community an opportunity to benefit from Taiwan’s contributions. Worse, the PRC’s efforts to rewrite Taiwan’s status at the U.N. undermine global peace and stability. Beijing’s recent dangerous military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan represent a case in point.
The U.N. Charter states clearly that the purposes and principles of the United Nations are to maintain international peace and stability and that international disputes should be resolved by peaceful means. However, Beijing continues to conduct military exercises in areas around Taiwan, undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, escalating tensions, affecting international trade and transportation, and putting regional peace and security at risk. Such irresponsible actions need to be condemned and brought to a halt. Given the circumstances, it is even more important that the U.N. and its member states stop allowing such a member, ironically also a member of the U.N. Security Council, to dictate the positions of the organization to suit its own political agenda.
Acquiescing China’s wrongful claims over Taiwan will only destabilize the region, which is also against the very purpose of the U.N.
Taiwan will resolutely defend its sovereignty and security. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will also continue to exercise restraint in response to China’s provocations and work together with like-minded countries to uphold peace and stability in the region. And as we have shown the world over the years, we will continue to fulfill our international responsibilities by actively engaging with and contributing to the international community.
The theme of the 77th session of the General Assembly, “A watershed moment: Transformative solutions to interlocking challenges,” pointedly reminds us of the grave challenges facing the international community: the coronavirus pandemic, food and energy shortages, disrupted global supply chains, climate change — the list goes on. When the U.N. talks about “joint solutions” and “solidarity” to tackle “interconnected crises,” we could not agree more. Taiwan is more than willing and able to be part of such joint solutions. And the 23.5 million resilient Taiwanese people surely should not be excluded from such important global efforts.
We are thankful that countries worldwide are beginning to realize what Taiwan can offer and many support Taiwan’s robust participation in the U.N. system. Among them, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved a resolution on July 6 this year expressing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. The G-7 countries have also expressed similar support. In particular, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly encouraged all U.N. member states to join in support of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system last October.
Our shared obstacles require all hands on deck. Those grave interconnected crises cannot be resolved until the entire world comes together. Taiwan has proved to be a reliable and indispensable partner, and the people of Taiwan stand ready to contribute. Let’s work together as one for the global good!
Jaushieh Joseph Wu is Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
