(H.E. Ms. Lin Nan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Seychelles)
Recently, reports that the leader of the Taiwan authorities, Lai Ching-te, has postponed his planned visit to Eswatini have drawn international attention. The spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China highly commends relevant countries’ commitment to the one-China principle which is fully consistent with international law and basic norms governing international relations. The one-China principle reflects the prevailing will of the people, the trend of the times, and the greater cause of justice. No one can stop the historical momentum toward China’s eventual reunification.
On this occasion, I would like to offer friends in Seychelles a comprehensive overview of the core essence, factual basis, and legal foundation of the one-China principle.
Taiwan was incorporated into China’s administrative territory as early as over 1,700 years ago. In 1895, it was unlawfully seized by Japan following its war of aggression against China. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Taiwan, must be restored to China. On October 25 of the same year, the Chinese government announced that it would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan. This forms an integral part of the post-war international order, whose legal validity and historical legitimacy are beyond dispute.
On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China was founded under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Ever since then, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China became the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and thus began to exercise sovereignty over all of China’s territory, including Taiwan. After retreating from the mainland, the subsequent Taiwan authorities, with the support of foreign forces, entered into a state of confrontation with the Central Government, giving rise to the Taiwan question. However, this does not affect the People’s Republic of China’s rightful and full exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan Province. Although the Taiwan authorities have continued using their original designation and political differences have persisted cross-Strait for a long time, this does not change the fact that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and its authorities remain a local one.
In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which restored all lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognized its government as the sole legitimate representative of China to the UN. This resolution, both politically and legally, fully resolved the issue of China’s representation in the United Nations, and forms an important pillar of the contemporary international system.
An official legal opinion of the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.N. Secretariat has also made clear that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status” and the “‘authorities’ in ‘Taipei’ are not considered to ... enjoy any form of government status.” The only reference to the Taiwan region in the U.N. is “Taiwan, Province of China.”
There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is the core essence of the one-China principle, a prevailing international consensus and a universally recognized basic norm governing international relations. Any attempt to challenge this principle is a challenge to the post-war international order, a subversion of the shared consensus of the international community, a violation of the basic norms of international relations, and a blatant affront to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. To date, the one-China principle has been recognized and supported by 183 countries, including the Republic of Seychelles, all of which have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on this basis.
On June 30, 1976, the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Seychelles was signed in Victoria. It clearly states that “the Government of Seychelles recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government representing the whole of China.”
Since then, China–Seychelles relations have embarked on a glorious era of development in which the two countries shared a common destiny and faced challenges together. We have developed bilateral relations on the basis of the one-China principle, deepening political mutual trust and achieving fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation. China supports Seychelles in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, while Seychelles has consistently given firm support to China on issues of core interests. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, China and Seychelles have become a model of sincere friendship, equality, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. This partnership, grounded in mutual respect and trust, has delivered tangible benefits to both peoples.
Seychelles upholds safeguarding of sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect for international law, non-interference, and independent decision-making as the core principles of its foreign policy. Its firm support for the one-China principle is a vivid reflection of these values. Since its independence, Seychelles has consistently adhered to these principles in its external relations, opposed foreign interference, and made independent diplomatic choices based on facts and international law. This position demonstrates the country’s wisdom and foresight in upholding principles while safeguarding its sovereignty and independence in international affairs.
China attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Seychelles. On the basis of the one-China principle, China stands ready to further deepen practical cooperation across various fields in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. Together, the two countries can address global challenges such as climate change, ocean governance, and sustainable development, so as to deliver greater benefits to both peoples. We are confident that, through joint efforts, China–Seychelles relations will build on the solid foundation and embrace an even broader and brighter future.
In early April this year, President Xi Jinping had a meeting in Beijing with the leader of opposition of the Taiwan authorities, emphasizing that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, firmly opposed “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference, and called for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. This forward-looking statement not only provides important guidance for advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, but also offers clear direction for the international community in understanding and upholding the one-China principle.
Looking ahead, China will continue to steadfastly uphold the one-China principle, while working with the international community, including Seychelles, to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and to promote the development of international relations in a more stable, just, and cooperative direction.