The visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has crossed the red-line under the One-China Principle and severely undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The reckless and provocative act of the third highest ranking figure of the authorities of the US has pushed the world to a dangerous brink, and has drawn strong condemnation worldwide.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the entire China. This lies at the heart of the One-China Principle as a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. In October 1971, the 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which “decides 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, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.” This golden principle has also been endorsed by multiple international organizations thereafter. The commitment to the One-China Principle is also the political foundation for the diplomatic ties China has established with over 180 countries, including the US. 

While claiming rhetorically it is committed to the One-China policy, action-wise, the US has been backtracking in recent years, blurring and hollowing out the One-China Principle in that process. The so-called “Taiwan Relations Act” and the “Six assurances”were unilateral concoctions by the US and have always been firmly opposed by China. The US has also gone against its commitment to maintaining only non-official ties with the Taiwan region, by salami-slicing its upgrading of engagement with Taiwan and the increase in arms sales. They have done this in an attempt to use Taiwan to contain China. To that end, the US has supported and connived at separatist and independence-seeking forces in Taiwan and has made deliberate provocations against China on the Taiwan question, the latest example of which is Pelosi’s visit, taking the recklessness and irresponsibility of its moves to dangerous new heights. China has no choice but to respond forcefully to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to draw a line in the sand before things reach a point of no return. All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the US side, who has created the current situation single-handedly.

The US side’s irresponsible and dangerous move is of utmost concern to the international community, not only because of its infringement on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also because it tramples the basic norms governing the international relations underpinning any fair, just and functioning international order, and poses a direct serious threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We therefore call on all countries in the region and beyond to voice firm opposition against the irresponsible and dangerous move of the US and urge the US authorities to immediately stop violating the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question. 

It is unfortunate that some people are trying to frame the Taiwan question as a contest or confrontation of democracy vs autocracy. It is wrong, misleading and dangerous, for a corollary of such a spurious argument is to justify confrontation, conflicts or even crusades on grounds of differences in ideologies and political and social systems, which will only open the floodgate to inconceivable or even apocalyptic instabilities in the world.

It is notable that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in her recent remarks at Lowy Institute, refused to subject NZ’s interest to such a binary-projection of the world and remains committed to reducing conflict, and contributing to peace and stability, and prosperity. Her reaffirmation of NZ’s commitment to the One-China Policy and her call for De-escalation, Diplomacy and Dialogue on multiple occasions represent a much-needed voice of reason at this fraught moment. 

So far as the Taiwan question is concerned, its crux is China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Whether and how that is upheld not only concerns China, but also the wider Asia-Pacific region and the entire world. And it takes common efforts to make it happen and get it right.