UN reaffirms principle of one China

On Oct 25, 1971, Munir Akram, a former Pakistani diplomat, shuttled between the Pakistani desk and other delegations, carrying messages from his ambassador.

The messages concerned a resolution to restore China's lawful rights at the UN.

"The opposition to the People's Republic of China's representation continued in 1971," said Akram, who later served twice as Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations.

He made the comments at an event on Monday commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Taiwan's Recovery and Upholding the Authority of General Assembly Resolution 2758, held at UN headquarters in New York. The event was hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations.

According to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry, the United States in 1971 used procedural maneuvers to have the General Assembly designate China's representation as an "important question," which required a two-thirds majority vote.

Meanwhile, Algeria, Pakistan and 21 other countries submitted a resolution to "restore all the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations and immediately expel the representatives of the Kuomintang clique from the United Nations and all its affiliated agencies," later known as the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758.

"Fortunately, we were able to mobilize our forces," and the "important question" resolution was defeated by 55 votes in favor and 59 against, Akram said.

The UNGA then proceeded to pass with an overwhelming majority of votes on Resolution 2758.

"At that moment, it became obvious that the representatives of the Chiang Kai-shek regime knew that the game was up, and they left the General Assembly," Akram said.

He emphasized that the resolution "restored all the rights of the People's Republic of China" and recognized it as "the only — I underline only — legitimate representative of China."

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, on Monday noted that China's national legislature on Friday voted to designate Oct 25 as Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

"On the same day in 1971, the General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted Resolution 2758, restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, reflecting the international community's firm commitment to the one-China principle," he said.

"Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. This is an unshakable historical and legal fact. The so-called ‘undetermined status of Taiwan' is a fabricated lie promoted by a tiny number of forces. Any distortion or misinterpretation of Resolution 2758 challenges the post-World War II international order and the authority of the United Nations, and will not succeed," said Fu.

"The international community's firm adherence to the one-China principle will remain unchanged. China will achieve complete reunification, which is an unstoppable historical trend," Fu said.

About 40 diplomats from Algeria, Russia, Brazil, Pakistan and other countries attended Monday's event.

"We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the one-China principle and our firm belief that Resolution 2758 remains the cornerstone of the United Nations and of the proper handling of all matters related to Taiwan," said Algerian UN ambassador Amar Bendjama.

"As we commemorate the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 2758, Brazil takes this opportunity to reiterate its firm support to the one-China principle, the government of the People's Republic of China being the sole legitimate government of the whole of China, and Taiwan being an inseparable part of the Chinese territory, while reaffirming the principle of territorial integrity of states," said Brazilian UN ambassador Sergio Franca Danese.

"The restoration of China's legitimate rights at the United Nations imbued this organization with renewed strength, vitality and legitimacy. Since its rightful return, China, acting as a responsible member state and a major world power, has played a commendable role in upholding international peace and security and in advancing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," said Pakistan's UN ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

"Nicaragua reiterates unambiguously the one-China principle," said Nicaraguan UN ambassador Jaime Hermida Castillo, adding that his country recognizes Taiwan as part of China's territory and that "the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate representative of China at the United Nations."

"Resolution 2758 remains the cornerstone of the international system, reflecting the principles of sovereignty, mutual respect and non-interference enshrined in the UN Charter ... Thus, we recognize the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China in the United Nations and its related agencies," said Cambodian UN ambassador Chhea Keo.