The wisdom in the ‘One-China Principle’: Taiwan as an inalienable part of China

In recent months, there have been rising tensions regarding Taiwan, especially one that has seen some diehard ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists undermining the ‘One-China Principle’ which stipulates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

In this instance, what has been the position of the international community and major powers, such as the United States?

The goal of recent Sino-American relations has been to mend the strained communication lines between Beijing and Washington that have developed since the Trump administration.

Understanding the ‘One-China Principle’

The cornerstone of the Chinese government's Taiwan policy is the One-China Principle. Since 1979, the Chinese government has implemented the policy of peaceful reunification at the behest of Comrade Deng Xiaoping and has been gradually refining the scientific concept of "one country, two systems."

China developed the fundamental idea of "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems" on the basis of this.

The main points of this fundamental principle and the pertinent policies are as follows: China will actively promote people-to-people contacts, economic and cultural exchanges, and direct trade, postal, air, and shipping services between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits; achieve reunification through peaceful negotiations; and, based on the One-China Principle, any matter can be negotiated. China will do its best to achieve peaceful reunification, but it will not commit itself to rule out the use of force.

The One-China Principle's foundation is unwavering on both a de facto and de jure level. It was developed during the legitimate fight of the Chinese people to protect their country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The core interests of the Chinese people are represented by the resolution of the Taiwan dispute and the achievement of China's total reunification.

With all earnestness and effort, the Chinese government has worked toward the peaceful reunification of China under the concept of "one country, two systems" since 1979.

Since the end of 1987, there has been a significant increase in people-to-people encounters and economic and cultural exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The Chinese government has steadfastly opposed any attempt to split Taiwan from China and has always upheld the One-China Principle.

The History

The One-China Principle's foundation is unwavering on both a de facto and de jure level. It was developed during the legitimate fight of the Chinese people to protect their country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

By means of an aggressive war against China in April 1895, Japan coerced the Qing administration into signing the unfair Treaty of Shimonoseki and seized Taiwan by force. With the release of the Proclamation of China's Declaration of War Against Japan in December 1941, the Chinese government declared to the world that Taiwan would be returned to China and that all agreements, contracts, and treaties pertaining to Sino-Japanese relations, including the Treaty of Shimonoseki, had been revoked.

The governments of China, the United States, and the United Kingdom released the Cairo Declaration in December 1943, which stipulated that Japan had to give back to China all the lands it had taken from the Chinese, including Taiwan, Northeast China, and the Penghu Archipelago.

In 1945, China, the United States, and Britain signed the Potsdam Proclamation, which was later ratified by the Soviet Union. It stated that "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out."

Japan surrendered in August of that year, promising in its instrument of capitulation to faithfully carry out the duties outlined in the Potsdam Proclamation. Taiwan and the Penghu Archipelago were reclaimed by the Chinese government on October 25, 1945, marking the restoration of Taiwan's sovereignty.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China

All the facts and laws about Taiwan prove that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

The Republic of China's historical status came to an end on October 1, 1949, when the Central People's Government of the PRC was proclaimed, taking the place of the Republic of China as the only legitimate government of the entire country and its exclusive legal representative abroad.

The PRC government should naturally fully enjoy and exercise China's sovereignty, including its sovereignty over Taiwan, as this is the replacement of the old regime with a new one in a situation where the fundamental provisions of the same international laws have not changed, nor has China's inherent territory or sovereignty.

The One-China Principle has been progressively embraced by the international community as a whole, thanks to the Chinese government's serious and reasonable defense of it, which has won the respect and cooperation of an increasing number of nations and international organizations.

The PRC's Central People's Government proclaimed to all other governments on its formation day that it was the only legal government in existence and that it represented the interests of the whole People's Republic of China.

It is prepared to begin diplomatic ties with any foreign government that is prepared to uphold the values of equality, reciprocal benefit, and respect for one another's sovereignty and territorial integrity." The Central People's Government telegraphed the UN shortly after that.

The UN Resolution 2758 of 1971

At its 26th session in October 1971, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758, expelling the representatives of the Taiwanese government and restoring the PRC government's seat and all of its legal rights within the UN.

China and Japan signed a Joint Statement in September 1972 announcing the opening of diplomatic relations between the two nations, stating that Japan fully understood and respected China's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory and that it recognized the PRC government as the only legitimate government in China. The Joint Statement also pledged Japan to uphold the position outlined in Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation.

The United States "recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China" and "acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is a part of China," according to the Joint Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations that China and the United States issued in December 1978.

"As of right now, 161 nations have formal diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC); all of them recognize the One-China Principle and pledge to manage their relations with Taiwan within its framework.

China’s response to diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists

Understanding the history and the facts surrounding the ‘One-China Principle’ will certainly make one appreciate China’s position regarding the recent calls made by some diehard Taiwan independence separatists.

The Chinese government has released guidelines for punishing ardent supporters of "Taiwan independence" who undertake or encourage secession. The rules allow for the death sentence and an in-absentia trial in appropriate situations.

Based on the Anti-Secession Law, the Criminal Law, and the Criminal Procedure Law, the paper offers more detailed guidelines for conviction and sentencing in the event of such offenses, along with pertinent procedures that the judiciary might use as a guide for considering pertinent cases.

Until it is modified, the "One-China Principle" is still the acceptable starting point for the rest of the world to follow in order to protect the territorial integrity of Taiwan and avoid doing harm to its people.

The international community must respond equally to any attempt to undermine and disregard this concept, as China has been doing.