- Chen
By Anthony Nwachukwu
China’s Permanent Representative to the to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, Chen Xu, has stated that Taiwan’s path to independence is long foreclosed, adding that it is “a dead end.”
Chen, who made the declaration during his recent address to the World Health Assembly (WHA), explained that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and the recovery and return of Taiwan to China, making it an integral part of the World War II victory and post-war international order.
He further stated that the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the WHA Resolution 25.1 have since comprehensively and conclusively resolved the issue of China’s representation at the body, and by extension, Taiwan’s.
His declaration followed Taiwan’s proposal to participate in the annual assembly as an observer, a move the WHA, as the highest decision-making organ of the World Health Organisation (WHO) rejected, having upheld the UN authority and the post-war international order for consecutive years.
According to Chen, the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair and a remaining issue from the Chinese civil war, and though the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not yet reunified, Taiwan’s legal and factual status as part of China has never changed.
For the avoidance of doubt, Chen noted that 183 countries have established official diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the One-China principle.
He added that similarly, and in a manner that fully demonstrates that the One-China principle embodies the broad consensus of the international community, many countries sent letters to the WHO ahead of this year’s WHA session, reaffirming their support for this principle.
Meanwhile, Chen stated that the Chinese Government has always attached great importance to the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, adding that technical experts from Taiwan Province have problem participating in WHO activities, provided the One-China principle is upheld.
He further described the claim of a “gap” in the international pandemic prevention system as inconsistent with facts and purely a political manipulation.
