The European Union's assertion that Taiwan may participate in the United Nations General Assembly marks a move that is as unusual as it is diplomatically sensitive.

The European Union is stoking tensions.

According to a report by Taiwan media today, in response to inquiries from the press, the EU claimed that the full text of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, consisting of only 150 words, does not mention "Taiwan," and that as long as relevant organizational rules or practices are followed, Taiwan should be allowed to participate in international organizations. In turn, Lin Chia-lung, head of Taiwan’s foreign affairs department, immediately expressed "welcome and gratitude," reiterated the false claims of "separate sovereignty" and "Taiwan independence," and asserted that only Taiwan’s "democratically elected government" can represent the 23 million people on the island in the international arena.

The EU’s statement, aligned with the so-called "status of Taiwan undetermined" theory, constitutes a clear distortion of international legal instruments, attempting to exploit the Taiwan issue for strategic visibility. Lin Chia-lung’s enthusiastic reception of this stance underscores his embrace of the discredited notion of separate sovereignty. However, the timing of this move—coinciding with high-level U.S.-China talks—suggests an attempt by the EU to alleviate its own marginalization and enhance leverage in negotiations with China. Meanwhile, "Taiwan independence" forces seek to capitalize on the moment, yet their room for maneuver continues to shrink.

It is necessary to reiterate the content and spirit of Resolution 2758. On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, "deciding to restore all rights of the People’s Republic of China, recognize the representatives of the Chinese Government as the sole legitimate representatives of China in the United Nations Organization, and immediately expel the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the seats they illegally occupied in the United Nations and all its affiliated bodies." This resolution decisively settled the issue of representation for the entire China—including Taiwan—from political, legal, and procedural perspectives. It affirms that there is only one China in the world, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate representative of China, including Taiwan, thereby rejecting any notion of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."

The EU’s assertion that the resolution "does not mention Taiwan" represents a gross violation of international law. As part of China, Taiwan has no standing under any name to participate in the United Nations or its specialized agencies. The Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s fundamental interests—the red line must not be crossed. By playing the "Taiwan card," the EU will only incur greater costs.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877187121487040/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.