Taiwan's President Asserts Sovereignty, Defying China's Claims

Strategic Insights -

President Lai Ching-te, on his 'Ten Lectures on National Unity' speaking tour, stated that Taiwan is indeed a country, rejecting the idea that its status is defined by UN membership or resolutions. Lai emphasized that a country must possess four essential elements: people, territory, government, and sovereignty. He cited Taiwan's regular elections, public authority, diplomacy, and national defense as evidence of its country status. Lai also criticized China for invoking UN Resolution 2758 to claim sovereignty over Taiwan, arguing that the resolution only designated Beijing's seat at the UN and does not address Taiwan's sovereignty.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan is a country with 23 million people living on its land, possessing people, territory, government, and sovereignty.
  • Taiwan regularly holds elections at all levels of government, exercises public authority, engages in diplomacy, and maintains a national defense.
  • Lai criticized China for using UN Resolution 2758 to promote its 'one China' principle and 'three-stage one-China theory,' despite the resolution only designating Beijing's seat at the UN.
  • The international community, including the US State Department, has rejected China's interpretations of UN Resolution 2758, affirming that it does not address Taiwan's sovereignty.
  • Legisatures in the US, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, the UK, and the European Parliament have passed resolutions affirming this interpretation.
  • Taiwan is the origin of Austronesian culture, with Austronesian languages thought to have originated around 4000 BCE in Taiwan before spreading to other regions.
  • Lai emphasized that history clearly shows that Taiwan has never been an inseparable part of China, contradicting China's claims.

Statistics:

  • 23 million: the population of Taiwan.
  • 4 essential elements: people, territory, government, and sovereignty, according to President Lai as the defining characteristics of a country.
  • 1996: the year of the first direct presidential election in Taiwan, marking the beginning of Taiwan's democratic transition.
  • 4 years: the interval between direct presidential elections in Taiwan since 1996.
  • 6 regions: the Philippines, Borneo, Madagascar, Guam, Hawaii, and Easter Island, which have Austronesian cultures and languages.
  • 1 resolution: UN Resolution 2758, invoked by China to claim sovereignty over Taiwan.
  • 7 legislatures: the US Congress, Australian Parliament, Dutch Parliament, Canadian Parliament, UK Parliament, and European Parliament, which have passed resolutions affirming Taiwan's country status.

Sources:

  • Liberty Times
  • President Lai Ching-te's speech at the Rotary International Taiwan branch