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Tag: One-China policy

  • Reps Reaffirm Nigeria’s Commitment to One-China Principle

    Reps Reaffirm Nigeria’s Commitment to One-China Principle

    Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Parliamentary Relations, has reiterated Nigeria’s strong commitment to the One-China Principle, asserting that Taiwan is an integral part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

    Speaking to journalists in his Abuja office on Wednesday, the lawmaker said the legislative arm of government will resist any attempts by Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Head of Taiwan’s Trade Mission in Nigeria, to undermine the mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China.

    Hon. Jaafaru described Liu’s recent comments that the Nigerian government should relocate Taiwan’s Trade Office from Lagos to Abuja as a direct affront to the One-China policy that could provoke a diplomatic conflict with serious repercussions.

    He said, “I have been closely monitoring the recent statements made by Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Head of Taiwan’s Trade Mission in Nigeria. These remarks, which have escalated in recent weeks, pose a risk of creating a diplomatic rift in the cooperative relationship between Nigeria and China.

    “The One-China Principle is the foundation of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, and we, as a nation, remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold this policy.

    “The recent media engagements, strategic visits, and statements from Mr. Liu appear to be part of a coordinated effort by Taiwan to incite unnecessary tension and strain the China-Nigeria relationship, jeopardizing the progress achieved by both nations. We recognize only one China, and Taiwan is part of that China.”

    Hon. Jaafaru further clarified that there is only one Chinese embassy in Nigeria, located in Abuja, and insisted that the Taiwan Trade Office in Lagos should remain there solely for trade purposes.

    “Any attempt to relocate it to Abuja is an affront to the One China policy and will be met with resistance through appropriate channels,” he said.

    The lawmaker noted that China-Nigeria relations have flourished, yielding significant results across key sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships.

    “The relationship between China and Nigeria has evolved considerably since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971. In 2024, we elevated our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the FOCAC Summit in Beijing. Nigeria is now China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with a trade volume exceeding $20 billion.

    “China has also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s infrastructural modernization through substantial investments in various sectors, including rail networks, road construction, ports, power stations, and water treatment facilities,” he added.

  • One-China policy never to be played with

    One-China policy never to be played with

    By Zhong Sheng

    The World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), on May 24 refused to include a proposal on Taiwan’s participation in its agenda, which fully indicated that adherence to the one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community.

    There is only one China in the world. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

    The one-China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a universal consensus of the international community. The Taiwan region’s participation in international organizations, including the WHA activities, must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle, and the UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 provided the legal basis for WHO to abide by the one-China principle.

    Before 2016, China made special arrangements for the Taiwan region to participate in the WHA on the basis of the fact that both sides uphold the one-China principle. Since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power, it has placed its political agenda over the wellbeing of the people in the Taiwan region, obstinately adhered to the separatist position of “Taiwan independence,” and refused to admit the 1992 Consensus embodying the one-China principle. As a result, the political foundation for the Taiwan region to participate in the WHA has ceased to exist. The rejection of Taiwan’s participation in the WHA is solely a result of the DPP obstinately adhering to the separatist position of “Taiwan independence.”

    It is ridiculous for the DPP authorities to portray Taiwan as a missing link in the world’s anti-pandemic efforts and instigate their so-called “diplomatic allies” to make Taiwan-related proposals.

    The Chinese Central Government always attaches great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots. Under this precondition of abiding by the one-China principle, it has made appropriate arrangements for the Taiwan region’s participation in global health affairs.

    To help the anti-pandemic fight on the island, Beijing has shared information with Taiwan 260 times on epidemic development and approved health experts in the Taiwan region to participate in 16 WHO technical activities. Besides, the WHO Secretariat briefed health experts in the Taiwan region three times on pandemic information, and the region has also joined the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access.

    It proves that Taiwan enjoys unimpeded channel and sound mechanism for information exchanges with the WHO and countries in the world. The “‘missing link’ rhetoric” is completely groundless.

    As the COVID-19 pandemic is still rampant around the world, the 74th WHA shouldered huge responsibility in advancing global anti-pandemic cooperation. The DPP authorities and a few countries, going against the trend of history and making Taiwan-related proposals, are indeed pursuing their own political agenda at the sacrifice of the WHA and the international anti-pandemic cooperation.

    To safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the seriousness and authority of the UNGA and WHA resolutions, China would not agree with Taiwan’s participation in this year’s WHA. Ahead of the WHA’s opening, more than 150 countries have expressed through diplomatic channels their support for China’s decision. Over 80 countries have, through sending letters to the WHO, expressed their adherence to the one-China principle and their opposition to Taiwan’s participation in the WHA. This fully indicates that most of the countries in the world are upholding justice and a correct standing on questions related to Taiwan at the WHA.

    Taiwan question bears on China’s core interests, where there is not a single inch for compromise. Relevant countries had better not underestimate China’s resolution and capability in safeguarding its core interests and unification. They should abandon their vain hope to meddle in China’s domestic affairs under the excuse of Taiwan question.