MOFA: Cross-Strait Relations Are Non-Subordinate; China Exposes Global Public Health to Political Risks

(CNA, Reporter Yang Yao-ju, Taipei, 19th) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's appearance in Geneva, marking the first time a foreign minister has visited the city during the WHA, drew a backlash from China. MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei stated today, "The Chinese government should just take care of its own people," reiterating that the two sides of the strait are not subordinate to each other and strongly condemning China for exposing global public health cooperation to high political risks. Regarding Lin Chia-lung's visit to Switzerland, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference on the 18th that Taiwan-related issues in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) must adhere to the 'one-China principle,' which is a fundamental principle confirmed by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1. MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said at a regular press conference this morning, "The Chinese government should just take care of its own people." The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. This is an internationally recognized objective status quo and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Hsiao Kuang-wei stated that Taiwan's promotion of participation in the WHO and other international organizations is a just and legitimate right based on Taiwan's sovereignty, which China has no right to comment on, let alone obstruct. Only Taiwan's democratically elected government can represent the Taiwanese people in the international community and multilateral forums. Hsiao Kuang-wei emphasized that China's repeated false claims that Taiwan's participation in the WHO requires its consent is an attempt to place politics above public health interests. UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 only address the issue of "China's representation." The full texts do not mention Taiwan, do not authorize the People's Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the UN system, and certainly do not claim that Taiwan is a part of the People's Republic of China. Therefore, they cannot be used to exclude Taiwan's international participation. Hsiao Kuang-wei pointed out that MOFA expresses strong protest and condemnation against China's false and misleading statements to the international community and its continued politicization of Taiwan's participation, which exposes global public health cooperation and the pandemic prevention system to high political risks. Hsiao Kuang-wei said that China has long deliberately distorted the two resolutions to serve as the legal basis for its so-called 'one-China principle,' using this to wrongly link Taiwan's sovereign status and suppress Taiwan's international space. This is a complete departure from the principles and international legality of the two resolutions and has been questioned and opposed by the United States and many other countries, as well as the European Union. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150519