THE EDITOR: I would like to draw your attention to the recent misleading reports in the media on the question of Taiwan, and take this opportunity to clarify some basic facts.

First, Taiwan has been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since time immemorial. It is not right to refer to Taiwan as a country or a nation. Many historical records and annals document the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people in earlier periods. References to this effect are to be found, among others, in Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer compiled more than 1700 years ago during the period of the Three Kingdoms. Chinese governments of different periods set up administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan, the earliest being the Song Dynasty in the mid 12th century. It was only for 50 years before the end of the Second World War in 1945 that Taiwan was under the Japanese occupation. Taiwan was rightfully returned to China through the Cairo Declaration in 1943 and Potsdam Proclamation in 1945 signed by China, the United States and Great Britain. Taiwan was separated from the mainland as a result of the Civil War. At the end of the Civil War, the People’s Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949 to replace the “the Republic of China” as a sovereign state and the only lawful representative in the international community. According to universally recognised norms of international law on government succession, the Government of the People’s Republic of China should naturally and lawfully take over all sovereignty exercised by the former “government of the Republic of China” on behalf of China, including Taiwan Province.

Although the Taiwan authorities still flaunt the banner of “the Republic of China,” this republic has lost all its legality. In 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted the historic Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority with the valuable support of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. The legitimate seat of China in the UN was restored to the People’s Republic of China and the representatives of Taiwan were expelled from the UN. This resolution has solved the status of Taiwan once and for all. By now China has established diplomatic relations with more than 160 countries in the world, which all acknowledge that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

Secondly, Taiwan is a province of China and China’s National Day is October 1. Therefore, it is absurd to celebrate October 10 as China’s National Day. Mr Lii-Shang Jiang is not appointed by the President of the People’s Republic of China. Trinidad and Tobago has diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China and its government adheres to the “One-China” policy. So it’s utterly illegal for him to appear in this country as the so-called “ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan and host the “double ten” reception. He twisted the facts at the reception and confused the innocent people who do not have enough knowledge of the Chinese history. By saying that “the Republic of China on Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China have been exercising their jurisdiction separately,” he has apparently preached for “two Chinas” or “one country on either side of the Straits,” which the entire Chinese nation, including the 1.3 billion people on the mainland and 23 million in Taiwan, has strongly condemned. Everybody knows that the state sovereignty and territorial integrity are indivisible and the complete reunification of the motherland is the aspiration of the entire Chinese nation. What he said and did has not only hurt the feeling of the Chinese people but also may damage the friendly relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago.

Thirdly, the question of Taiwan is purely an internal matter of China and a question for the Chinese people to solve. It brooks no interference from outside. Trinidad and Tobago supported China in the UN even before it established diplomatic relations with China. The successive governments of Trinidad and Tobago have reiterated its “One China” position. We have been told once and again that Trinidad and Tobago has no intention to have official contacts with Taiwan since it is a part of China. We are confident that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago will always honour its commitments.

Finally, I would like to make a few comments on journalism. As we all know, journalism is a noble profession. Journalists are regarded as kings and queens without crowns. Media should not serve as gossiping mouths. Journalism ethics require those in the profession to have a balanced mind, objective observation and truthfulness. Reports that are not based on objectivity, truthfulness and a profound knowledge of the background would tarnish the profession.

GAO HUA
Press Officer
Chinese Embassy
Port-of-Spain