UNGA Resolution 2758 Q&A Series: Question 1

Editor's note: On Oct 25, 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. The resolution saw the UN's restoration of the representation and seat of China, including Taiwan, to the government of the People's Republic of China, under the premise of recognizing Taiwan as an inalienable part of China.

Recently, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, for the purpose of seeking "Taiwan independence" secession, have colluded with external forces to distort and smear UNGA Resolution 2758, attempting to mislead the people of Taiwan and international public opinion.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council is releasing this Q&A Series to thoroughly explain the core implications of UNGA Resolution 2758 and enhance the understanding of the one-China principle among Taiwan compatriots and the international community.

Q1: Why did the United Nations General Assembly adopt Resolution 2758 in 1971? What problem did it solve?

A: The United Nations was founded in 1945, with China as a founding member and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. In 1949, the government of the People's Republic of China was established, replacing the government of the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It was a change of government without changing China as a subject of international law. China's sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries did not change. Rightfully, the government of the People's Republic of China fully enjoys and exercises China's sovereignty, including that over Taiwan.

Within the UN system, it was only natural for the government of the People's Republic of China to appoint representatives to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly and its related organs, expelling representatives of the Taiwan authorities that could no longer represent the Chinese people. However, due to interference from the government of the United States, China's UN seat was illegally occupied by the authorities in Taiwan for a long time.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people engaged in a resolute struggle to restore their legitimate seat at the UN, garnering increasing support from a growing number of peace-loving and justice-upholding nations.

In the 1960s, with the rise of China's international status and the continuous entry of many newly independent countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America into the UN, the US found it increasingly difficult to obstruct the People's Republic of China from reclaiming its rightful seat at the UN.

As the saying goes: "A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little." On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority: 76 votes for, 35 against and 17 abstentions. The resolution decided to restore all the rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN, recognize the representatives of the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representatives of China at the UN, and return the representation and seat of all of China, including Taiwan, to the government of the People's Republic of China.

For the Chinese people, this was a belated justice, completely resolving the representation question of all of China, including Taiwan, at the UN.