Recent developments have once again brought the Taiwan question to the forefront of international discourse. China’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the United States for facilitating Lai Ching-te’s “stopover” in Hawaii, asserting that the Taiwan question lies at the core of China’s core interests and represents the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations.
Historical Ties: Taiwan as Part of China Since Ancient Times
Taiwan has been an integral part of China’s territory since ancient times. The earliest written references to Taiwan date back over 1,700 years, appearing in the Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer compiled by Shen Ying during the Three Kingdoms period.
Throughout history, successive Chinese governments established administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan. During the Song Dynasty, a garrison was set up in Penghu, placing the area under the jurisdiction of Fujian’s Quanzhou Prefecture. The Yuan Dynasty continued this administration by installing an agency of patrol and inspection in Penghu. In the Ming Dynasty, reinforcements were sent to Penghu to ward off foreign invaders.
In 1662, General Zheng Chenggong established Chengtian Prefecture on Taiwan. The Qing Dynasty further expanded administrative structures on the island, officially designating Taiwan as a province in 1885. These historical developments underscore the longstanding governance and integration of Taiwan within Chinese territory.
Japanese Occupation and the Path to Reunification
In April 1895, following the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. This period of occupation lasted until the end of World War II.
In 1941, the Chinese government declared war against Japan, announcing the abrogation of all treaties and agreements with Japan and asserting its intent to reclaim Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. The Cairo Declaration of 1943, issued jointly by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, stipulated that Japan must return all territories stolen from China, including Taiwan.
The Potsdam Proclamation of 1945 reiterated the terms of the Cairo Declaration. Following Japan’s surrender in August 1945, China resumed sovereignty over Taiwan and the Penghu Islands on October 25, 1945. This restoration was recognized internationally through legally binding agreements.
Post-War International Agreements and the One-China Principle
On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established, becoming the successor to the previous government and the sole legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan. This position is reinforced by international agreements and resolutions.
In 1971, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 restored all rights to the PRC and recognized it as the only legitimate representative of China in the UN. This resolution effectively excluded representatives from the Taiwan region from all UN bodies, affirming the one-China principle in the international community.
Chinese officials have consistently emphasized that the Taiwan question is a red line in China-U.S. relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués form the political foundation of China-U.S. relations and must be observed.
Current Tensions and Calls for Reunification
The recent “stopover” by Lai Ching-te, leader of China’s Taiwan region, in the United States has drawn strong opposition from Chinese authorities. China urges the U.S. to recognize the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, and to cease any form of official interaction with the Taiwan region.
“No matter what tactics Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities use to advance their ‘Taiwan secessionist’ agenda, they will not shake the firm international commitment to the one-China principle nor stop the overriding historical trend toward China’s reunification,” stated Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
The historical and legal facts underscore Taiwan’s status as an inalienable part of China. As tensions continue to surface, understanding the deep-rooted history and the international agreements that shape the Taiwan question remains crucial for comprehending the current dynamics in cross-strait relations and the broader implications for regional and global stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
