Some recent reports on the Taiwan question by the Scottish press deviate from history, distort the facts and therefore, misleading the readers. These reports called Taiwan a “self-governing island republic” and made false accusations on Chinese military drills in the waters off the Taiwan Island. So I am duty-bound to clear up confusion and promote the right conceptions.
Firstly, Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times. In December 1943, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom signed the Cairo Declaration, which stipulates that all the territories that Japan had stolen from the Chinese, including Taiwan, were to be returned to China. In July 1945, China, the U.S., and the UK signed the Potsdam Declaration, which reiterated that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out”. In August 1945, Japan surrendered and acknowledged the Potsdam Declaration, and Taiwan was returned to Chinese sovereignty. The current state of separation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is the result of the ensuing civil war in China and the interference of the U.S.
Secondly, the one-China principle is the consensus of the international community. In October 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which decided to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China. Since then, the UN and other international organizations have unanimously observed the UNGA resolution by following the practice that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status”, “the ‘authorities’ in ‘Taipei’ are not considered to enjoy any form of governmental status”, and that the region should be referred to as “Taiwan, Province of China”. 181 countries have established diplomatic ties with China on the basis of recognizing that “there is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China’s territory”. In the Joint Communiqué on the Agreement on an Exchange of Ambassadors between China and the UK, the UK side recognizes unequivocally China’s position that Taiwan is a province of China and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
Thirdly, the secessionists in Taiwan colluding with external forces is the root cause of the tension across the Taiwan Strait. The Democratic Progressive Party authority, with the support of foreign forces, accelerates its provocation to achieve so-called independence. The U.S. also intensified its efforts to play the card of Taiwan, and upgraded its official exchanges with Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi’s visit, with the aim of containing China. No matter how they argue and cover, they still can not deny the fact that they are the troublemaker of the tension across the strait, sabotager of peace and stability, and the underminer of the benefits of people in Taiwan. The measures we are taking on the secessionists in Taiwan and foreign forces of interference are legitimate actions to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, in accordance with international laws and basic norms of international relations.
A few British politicians talked about “helping Taiwan defend itself”, and made the plan for parliamentarians to visit Taiwan. Those acts constitute serious violations of the one-China principle and the Joint Communiqué between China and the UK and impose grave interference in China's internal affairs. They will inevitably lead to severe consequences for China-UK relations.
Fourthly, a sovereign state has every right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. We strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and efforts, but we will not renounce the use of force and we reserve the option of all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and a tiny number of separatists and their separatist activities for “Taiwan independence”. It does in no way target our compatriots in Taiwan.
A few Scottish media accused China of posing a military threat to Taiwan through military drills off the island. It completely confounds black and white. It is the U.S. side that stoked provocation, undermined peace, and created crises in the first place. China’s response is reasonable and legitimate, and China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese competent authorities have issued safety alerts and navigation warnings in advance.
Fifthly, China is always an opportunity rather than a threat. Our cultural traditions of considering peace and harmony as fundamentals determine that China will follow the path of peaceful development and pursue a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. Since the founding of the PRC 73 years ago, China has never started any war or conflict, and never taken an inch of land that is not ours. At present, China remains the only country in the world that undertakes to follow a path of peaceful development in its constitution. Nevertheless, some ill-intentioned people still hype China's threat to European security. As a responsible major country, China works hard to develop itself while promoting global cooperation on climate change and many other common challenges, so as to bring more benefit to people around the world. China brings opportunities. We see this from the growing number of countries which are keen to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China.
As an old Chinese saying goes, “From the mirror we learn about ourselves; from the past, we learn about the future.” To those who still cling to a Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and who attempt to use Taiwan to contain the development of China, I urge them to learn more about the history of modern China and the history of international relations, in a bid to get a complete picture of the history of the Taiwan question. The essence of this question is about the battle against secession, against “Taiwan independence”.
It is my hope that the Scottish society is wary of irresponsible and unfounded media reports and sticks with balanced and objective views.
I hereby request the Scottish media to publish our positions in order to ensure a correct understanding of the facts.
