05/06/2026
Chinese Ambassador to PNG Yang Xiaoguang Publishes Byline Article on Taiwan Question in PNG Mainstream Newspapers
On June 4th, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to PNG Yang Xiaoguang Publishes byline article tittled “China Highly Appreciates PNG’s Firm Adherence to the One-China Principle” on PNG mainstream Newspapers The National and Post Courier, elaborating on the historical and legal facts that Taiwan belongs to China. The full article is below:
Recently, During the visit to Guangdong Province of China, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape reaffirmed PNG’s firm adherence to the one-China principle, which is highly appreciated by the Chinese side. I have also noted that some PNG friends may still not have a clear understanding of the one-China principle. In short, the one-China principle can be summarized in three sentences: firstly, there is but one China in the world; secondly, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory; and thirdly, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
I. Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times
In 230 A.D., the King of then local regimes of China sent officers to Taiwan (then called Yizhou). In 1684, the then Qing government of China established Taiwan Prefecture under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province. In 1885, the Qing government made Taiwan a full province. In 1894, Japan launched the First Sino-Japanese War. Following China’s defeat, the Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan. In 1945, after an indomitable and bloody struggle, the Chinese people finally achieved the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and recovered Taiwan.
It is precisely because Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times that a series of post-war international legal instruments such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan correctly and justly required that Taiwan, which had been stolen by Japan, be restored to China, thereby clinching Taiwan’s status.
The Taiwan question now is a legacy of China’s civil war. In 1949, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China was founded, and replaced the government of the Republic of China in fully enjoying and exercising China’s sovereignty, which naturally includes sovereignty over Taiwan. In the 1950s, U.S. intruded into the Taiwan Strait, obstructed Taiwan’s liberation, and supported the Kuomintang ruling group in its confrontation with the China’s mainland. Today, the biggest obstacles to resolving this question are “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference. Yet no matter how these forces maneuver, only one outcome lies ahead: the complete reunification of China.
II. The one-China principle is the premise and political foundation for U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758.
In 1971, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Resolution 2758, which solemnly affirms and fully embodies the one-China principle. Its adoption reflects the fact that the political principles and the relationship of rights and obligations embodied in the one-China principle have become international consensus, and have been recognized and supported by the majority of U.N. member states. It declares the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the U.N. and the expulsion of the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek, and explicitly proclaims that the Chiang Kai-shek clique entrenched in China’s Taiwan region does not have the right to represent China in the U.N.
Resolution 2758 marks the recognition of the one-China principle by the vast majority of countries and what it means for the U.N. in terms of its embodiment in a U.N. resolution. The adoption of the resolution has wide and far-reaching political implications. The international community has generally observed the resolution, turning the one-China principle into a basic norm of international relations and a widely recognized international consensus. Resolution 2758 remains relevant today, and its authority shall not be challenged.
III. The one-China principle is widely adhered to by the International community
To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on the basis of the one-China principle. In the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the U.S., and the one between China and Australia, the U.S. and Australia pledged that they recognize the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, and acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. In the Communiqué on the Agreement on an Exchange of Ambassadors signed with China, the U.K. stated it “acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China.” In recent years, an increasing number of countries and international organizations, while reaffirming their adherence to the one-China principle, have taken a further step by explicitly stating their firm opposition to any form of “Taiwan Independence,” as well as their firm support for the Chinese government’s efforts to achieve national reunification.
The one-China principle has been actively and vigorously upheld in the international and multilateral arena. Following the adoption of Resolution 2758, specialized agencies of the U.N. restored the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China and expelled the representatives of the Taiwan authorities through adopting resolutions. It was clearly stated in the official legal opinion of the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.N. Secretariat that “the United Nations considers Taiwan as a province of China with no separate status,” and “the authorities in Taipei are not considered to enjoy any form of government status.” Following the one-China principle, the World Trade Organization, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Asian Development Bank and other organizations have allowed Taiwan’s participation under the name of “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei.”
Taiwan is a province of China. China’s complete reunification is an overriding trend of history that meets the expectations of the international community. The reunification of China will not affect the legitimate interests of any country. It will only strengthen prosperity and stability in the Asia Pacific and the world at large, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity and to advancing the cause of world peace, development, and human progress.
The Chinese side highly appreciates PNG’s firm adherence to the one-China principle, which lays a solid political foundation for our cooperation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-PNG diplomatic relations. China is ready to work more closely with PNG in various field to promote our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height, bringing tangible benefit to our two countries and peoples.
