The conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan is not new. China is currently emerging as a major power in the world, with a significant role in global trade as a major partner. However, the Taiwan issue remains unresolved. The U.S. and its allied countries recognize Taiwan as a separate country, whereas China considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory and has not accepted Taiwan’s independent and sovereign status.
Recently, the People’s Republic of China urged the United States to abandon its double standards regarding China and to stop supplying arms to Taiwan. According to Pakistani media, citing the Chinese news agency Xinhua, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, Wu Qian, commented on the recent U.S. decision to provide Taiwan with approximately $567 million in military aid. During a media briefing on Wednesday, he stated that the U.S. should stop its dual standards regarding China and its arms supply to Taiwan, halt such tactics, and avoid worsening relations between the two countries and their militaries.
The spokesperson emphasized that the American action is a severe violation of the One-China Principle, the three joint communiqués between the U.S. and China, and China’s sovereignty and security interests. It is harmful to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China strongly condemns this action and protests against the United States. In recent years, the U.S. has not upheld its commitments, leading to increased tensions in the region.
The Chinese State Council has also urged relevant countries to adhere to the One-China Principle. Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian of the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office responded to questions regarding Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s upcoming visits to the Czech Republic and other European countries. She remarked that Taiwanese authorities have been engaging in separatist activities under various pretexts to deceive the international community. Regardless of what they say or do, they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. Attempts at Taiwanese independence will never succeed, and we urge relevant countries to adhere to the One-China Principle, handle Taiwan affairs carefully, and avoid sending the wrong signals to Taiwanese separatists.
U.S. policy is fostering instability globally. In the past, the Vietnam issue also caused disagreements between China and the U.S., and eventually, Vietnam forced the U.S. to withdraw after a long struggle for independence. The U.S. and China also have differing policies regarding North Korea. Likewise, China has its stance on Hong Kong and Macau. It regained sovereignty over these territories and has consistently maintained that they are part of China.
However, differences remain between the two countries over Taiwan. The U.S. provides Taiwan with modern weapons and technology. The Taiwan issue is quite old. After the Communist Revolution in China, nationalists declared Taiwan as their government. For a long time, Taiwan held China’s seat in the United Nations as an alternative. However, China eventually gained UN membership and recognition as the legitimate representative of China. China then initiated negotiations with Britain over Hong Kong, claiming it as part of the People’s Republic of China. Similarly, China asserted sovereignty over Macau.
Through successful diplomatic efforts, China regained sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macau, proving that conflicts can be resolved without war. China has focused on economic development and has not engaged in the Cold War, maintaining a distance from conflict successfully.
The U.S. still experiences tensions with China over Taiwan. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ma Ning, commented on Thursday in response to questions about Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te’s recent statements on Taiwan independence, asserting that his statements cannot change the fact that there is only one China on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The trend toward China’s eventual reunification is unstoppable. There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an integral part of it, and the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. The One-China Principle is a widely accepted norm in international relations.
Taiwan has never been and can never be a separate country, nor does it have any so-called sovereignty. China strictly opposes any formal exchanges with Taiwan under any guise, considering it interference in its internal affairs. This position is valid because China is a formal member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Thus, the People’s Republic of China is entitled to represent China internationally.
U.S. and Western countries’ policy has been to maintain global conflicts. Due to these policies, conflicts like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have emerged, causing immense damage to both Russia and Ukraine and disrupting global trade. Similarly, in the Middle East, the U.S. has not adopted a policy to resolve conflicts but continues to support Israel’s actions unconditionally. Israel occupies Palestinian territories and expands its activities into Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Israel has initiated conflicts against Hamas and Hezbollah, endangering peace in the Middle East. Due to its opposition to China, the U.S. supports India, which has granted asylum to the Dalai Lama over the Tibet issue, while China has claims over Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The U.S. appears to be trying to encircle China with Japan and South Korea in the South China Sea while creating obstacles for China at the Gwadar Port.
The U.S. should focus on resolving global conflicts rather than exacerbating them. If the U.S. and NATO prioritize resolving conflicts, peace can be achieved worldwide. China’s policy has so far avoided creating a warlike atmosphere. Resolving global conflicts is essential for peaceful global trade. If the atmosphere of wars and conflicts persists, global trade will continue to be affected. Currently, regional conflicts are causing widespread unrest worldwide. The Middle East is affected by the Palestine issue, while Eastern Europe suffers from the Ukraine conflict. Similarly, the Kashmir conflict has strained relations between Pakistan and India.
In Myanmar, the conflict involving Rohingya Muslims obstructs the country’s progress. If these conflicts are resolved amicably, including the Taiwan issue, peace will prevail globally. This peaceful environment will allow global trade to flourish, enhance prosperity, and advance science and technology, bringing humanity closer to new frontiers of peace.