by Lin Chia-lung
Taiwan is an indispensable partner in global supply chains, producing more than 90 percent of the world’s high-end semiconductors and a significant portion of the advanced chips driving the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. In addition, half of the world’s maritime trade passes through the Taiwan Strait, making it a key international waterway.
Yet, even as large parts of the world – and billions of people – have benefited from great prosperity thanks to the peace and stability prevailing across the Strait, China continues to escalate its aggressive actions against Taiwan. Beijing’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and expand authoritarianism across the Indo-Pacific region are a profound threat to peace and security around the world.
In recent years, world leaders have used bilateral and multilateral occasions – including the G7, EU, NATO and ASEAN meetings – to highlight the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. However, despite being aware of the importance of reducing tensions in the region, the United Nations (UN) has yet to take steps to address the challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China or to bring Taiwan into the UN system. As new developments in engaging with Taiwan have emerged in the global community, which are yielding enormous global benefits, the idea that a choice must be made between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan in the UN system is a false dichotomy. Now is the right time for the UN to evolve and reconsider its unjustified policies that exclude Taiwan.
The first and most urgent task that the UN must address is to stop succumbing to the pressure of the People’s Republic of China and refrain from further distorting UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971. By deliberately misrepresenting Resolution 2758 and falsely confusing it with its own “one-China principle,” which differs from the “one-China policy” adopted by many countries, the People’s Republic of China has ruthlessly suppressed Taiwan’s legitimate right to meaningfully participate in the UN and its specialized agencies.
This misrepresentation has far-reaching consequences that go beyond denying Taiwanese citizens and journalists access to UN facilities and preventing them from visiting, attending meetings, and engaging in newsgathering. In fact, Beijing’s tactic of using Resolution 2758 as a weapon to spread the fallacy that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China is one of the keys to a broader campaign to establish the legal basis to justify a future armed invasion of Taiwan. However, contrary to the PRC’s false claims, Resolution 2758 merely addresses the issue of China’s representation in the UN. It does not mention Taiwan. It does not claim that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China nor does it attribute to the People’s Republic of China any right to represent Taiwan in the UN system. In other words, the resolution has nothing to do with Taiwan.
This case is illustrative of the People’s Republic of China’s growing assertiveness in imposing its will on the international stage. And if left unchallenged and uncorrected, Beijing’s false claims will not only disrupt the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, but also endanger peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and threaten the rules-based international order.
The expansionism of the People’s Republic of China will not stop at Taiwan. The recent regulations introduced by the Chinese Coast Guard are part of a broader grey zone tactic designed to reinforce the People’s Republic of China’s specious territorial claims and expand its influence. By introducing rules that justify the boarding and detention of vessels and allow individuals to enter disputed maritime areas, Beijing aims to assert its control over international waters and challenge global norms and claims. To ensure world peace and economic stability, the United Nations and the international community must not only reaffirm their concerns about Beijing’s coercive conduct, but also work together to prevent its illegal plans.
History has shown that democratic resolve must be demonstrated early, before it is too late. As the world’s premier forum for international cooperation, the United Nations system is ideally positioned to address regional security challenges and support global economic stability. The upcoming 79th United Nations General Assembly and its Future Summit represent an opportune opportunity to address key security concerns as we move toward broader goals of global sustainable development and build a more resilient global community for current and future generations.
For many decades, Taiwan has proven to be a responsible and reliable partner. More recently, we have also made significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Accepting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system would undoubtedly be the UN’s best option to mitigate any potential regional crisis, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and stimulate global prosperity.
Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to play its part. By working with like-minded countries to maintain healthy and resilient global supply chains – particularly in the semiconductor industry – Taiwan is determined to help drive the world forward for many decades to come.
For a safer and better world, the United Nations system needs to include Taiwan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of China (Taiwan)