The Taiwan question is, by its very nature, an internal matter of China.
Since the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 in 1971, the legitimate seat of the People’s Republic of China has been restored in the United Nations. The resolution clearly embodies and affirms the one-China principle, namely, there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
Over the past 55 years, this resolution has not only served as the political and legal foundation for China’s status in the United Nations, but also as a pillar for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It symbolizes the common will of the international community to uphold sovereign equality and oppose interference in internal affairs. It stands as a cornerstone of the international order and multilateralism.
However, in recent years, certain countries and forces have attempted to interfere in other nations’ internal affairs under the pretext of “human rights”, “democracy” or “economic interests”, challenging China’s sovereignty and testing the red line of the Taiwan question. China’s position remains clear and firm: the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, and any external interference is absolutely unacceptable.
Encouragingly, an increasing number of countries that value independence and respect sovereignty have voiced their support for similar principles.
Among them, Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stands out. Since taking office, he has upheld the principle that national sovereignty stands above all, pursued an independent, balanced, and friendly foreign policy, and firmly opposed external military interference. He has emphasized that “Maldivian affairs must be decided by the Maldivian people themselves.” In the same vein, he has repeatedly reaffirmed that the Maldives steadfastly adheres to the one-China principle and consistently supports China’s position on issues concerning its core interests, including Taiwan.
In late Autumn this year, President Xi Jinping and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met in Tianjin, where they reached important consensus on jointly defending international fairness and justice and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. This meeting has injected new vitality into China-Maldives relations and demonstrated both countries’ commitment to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing nations.
History has proven once again that respect for sovereignty brings peace, and cooperation on an equal footing brings mutual benefit. In the new era, China and the Maldives will work hand in hand, with sovereignty as the cornerstone, cooperation as the driving force, and justice as the banner, to jointly write a new chapter in South-South cooperation and build a bright future of lasting peace and common prosperity.
H.E. Mr. KONG Xianhua is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives
