China has warned that Taiwan has no right to join the United Nations after the U.S. urged the world body to increase the involvement of the island in its affairs.
China’s declaration came following the latest statement by U.S. President Joe Biden at an online East Asia Summit rebuking China and telling regional leaders, including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, that the country’s actions “threaten regional peace and stability,” according to Agency France Press.
In a statement on Tuesday marking the 50th anniversary of the UN General Assembly accepting Beijing and rejecting Taipei, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he regretted Taiwan’s increasing exclusion from the world stage.
“Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system is not a political issue, but a pragmatic one. That is why we encourage all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan’s robust, meaningful participation throughout the UN system and in the international community,” he said.
China, which considers Taiwan a province that must be reunified with the mainland, including by force, responded to Blinken’s statement by emphasizing its stance that the Taipei government does not belong on the global diplomatic stage.
In a statement to reporters, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, said, “Taiwan has no right to join the UN. The UN is an international governmental organization composed of sovereign states. Taiwan is a part of China.”
However, in a statement to reporters in Prague during an official tour, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu thanked Washington for its support and said, “We will continue to fight for our rights in international organizations. We are determined to defend ourselves.”
In 1979, the U.S. switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing, but Congress also approved the Taiwan Relations Act, which ensures the supply of weapons to enable the island to defend itself.
On Tuesday, Blinken said that while the U.S. continued to recognize only Beijing, he also took note of Taiwan’s democratic credentials.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed Blinken’s statements, writing on Twitter, “Grateful for #US support for expanding #Taiwan’s international participation.”
“We stand ready to work with all like-minded partners to contribute our expertise in international organizations, mechanisms and events,” she added.
