By Zhong Sheng
On Mar.4, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019”. The act puts out that the government should consider “increasing or decreasing the United States Government’s economic, security, or diplomatic engagement with another nation as a result of an action taken by that nation to either strengthen or undermine ties with Taiwan”.
China is firmly against it, as this act is in serious violation of the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and goes against international law and basic norms governing international relations.
There is but one China in the world; the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China; and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The one-China principle is the prevailing trend recognized by international consensus.
Altogether 180 countries have established diplomatic relations with China. The increasing number of countries establishing and developing relations with China based on the one-China principle reflects their correct choice that conforms to the trend of history, follows the trend of the times, and serves their fundamental and long-term interests. Therefore, such choice should not be interfered with or criticized.
Taneti Maamau, President and Foreign Minister of Kiribati, said that the government of Kiribati’s decision to resume diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China is an independent choice based on the interests of Kiribati and its people. Kiribati has realized that it needs great partners and friends like China to achieve national development.
Some U.S. politicians’ attempt to play tricks on Taiwan-related issues runs counter to the trend of the times and is nothing short of overreaching themselves.
The U.S. itself established diplomatic ties with China on the basis of the one-China principle more than 40 years ago. In recent years, however, it has thwarted other sovereign countries’ pursuit of normal relations with China by intimidating and interfering with those countries.
For instance, U.S. senior officials once threatened to “punish” El Salvador before it broke the so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan authorities in August 2018. However, El Salvador still established diplomatic ties with China despite the pressure.
In addition, in Sept. 2019, following the Solomon Islands’ decision to establish diplomatic ties with China, U.S. leader refused to meet the leader of Solomon Islands for discussions on development cooperation.
Now, the U.S. Congress is once again obstructing other countries’ pursuit of establishing relations with China through Taiwan-related act. Such practice is nothing but double standards and political bullying. If the U.S. politicians do not learn from these lessons, they will only become the butt of a joke in human history.
In today’s world, the basic norms of international relations such as sovereignty equality and non-intervention in the internal affairs have long become a global consensus. Those who attempt to interfere in other countries’ affairs by adopting domestic laws are against justice, and will only be condemned by the international society.
China has always promoted democracy in international relations and upheld the equality of countries, regardless of their size, strength and wealth. The country aims at advancing its own development as part of the development of the global community and achieving win-win results by positive interaction among countries, rather than conducting zero-sum games that lead to lose-lose situations.
Countries have a strong will to develop relations with China, which will never be stopped by threats. These American politicians draining their brains will only hurt the international image of their own country.
Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare once warned certain political groups that Solomon Islands is not a political football to be used by International interest groups that lack international credentials at the United Nations to achieve their narrow political or geopolitical interests.
Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is associated with China’s core interests. There’s no compromise on the one-China principle, and China remains resolute to protect its sovereignty and security. The Chinese government and people will never sit and watch external forces hurt the country’s core interests.
Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive core issue remaining in China-U.S. relations. The U.S., repeatedly playing tricks on the so-called Taiwan-related acts, will only make more troubles for China-U.S. relations and finally hurt its own interests.
The Chinese side strongly urge the U.S. to respect China’s sovereignty and the bottom line of international relations, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, comply with international law and basic norms governing international relations, take concrete measures to prevent the Act from becoming law, and handle issues relating to Taiwan prudently to avoid serious damages to China- Us bilateral relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)
