By: H.E. LU Kun, Ambassador of China to Ghana

China’s Taiwan region’s leadership and legislature elections were held on 13 January, 2024. The elections will not change the basic landscape and development trend of cross-Strait relations, will not alter the shared aspiration of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait to forge closer ties, and will not impede the inevitable trend of China’s reunification.

The definition of the one-China principle is clear and unambiguous. There is 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 brooks no challenge. Some western countries claim to adhere to the one-China principle, but actually engage in official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities, interfere Taiwan affairs, and even support “Taiwan independence”. China absolutely does not accept this, and the Chinese people absolutely reject this.

The basis of one-China principle is both unshakable and indisputable. It is explicitly stated in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation that all the territories which imperialist countries have occupied from China, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China. The 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, which decided to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China, recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and expel the “representatives” of the Taiwan authorities from the place which they had unlawfully occupied. The above documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-war international order, and laid the historical and legal foundation that Taiwan is an inalienable territory of China.

The applicability of the one-China principle is universal and unconditional. All countries having diplomatic relations with China and all Member States of the UN should adhere to the one-China principle and follow the guidance of UNGA Resolution 2758. Recently, the Government of the Republic of Nauru officially announced its decision to support the one-China principle, break the so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan authorities and seek to reestablish diplomatic ties with China. It once again shows that the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends.

The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, and the core of China’s core interests. For a period of time, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have clung to their separatist position of seeking “Taiwan independence”, pursuing “de-sincization” and “incremental independence” on the Taiwan Island, obstructing and undermining exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, and colluding with external forces in successive provocative actions designed to divide the country. Such acts have resulted in tensions in the cross-Strait relations, jeopardized peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, and undermined the prospects and squeezed the space for peaceful reunification.

Taiwan’s independence has never been possible in the past and certainly won’t be possible in the future. Whatever changes take place in Taiwan, the Chinese government’s position of upholding the one-China principle and opposing “Taiwan independence” separatism, “two Chinas” and “one China, one Taiwan” will not change. Any actions and tricks to split China are doomed to fail. The separatists’ actions will be met with the condemnation of the people and the punishment of history.

Ghana is one of the earliest and consistent advocates and supporters of the one-China principle. The China-Ghana Friendship Treaty signed 63 years ago states clearly that Ghana supports the restoration of the PRC’s lawful seat in the United Nations and the Chinese government and people’s efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemns the imperialist conspiracy of creating “two Chinas”. The one-China principle is the political foundation of our time-honoured friendship. The Ghanaian government has firmly reiterated its adherence to the one-China principle on many occasions.

China, on its part, has also been an ardent supporter of Ghana in its efforts to safeguard national independence and advance economic agenda. As the co-chair of Ghana’s Official Creditor Committee, China has played an active coordinating role to support the Ghanaian position. China has called upon all parties to overcome technical difficulties and bridge differences, led all parties in the Committee to basically agree on Ghana’s debt treatment, and paved the way for the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund to approve the disbursement of $600 million under its bailout programme. China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner and major foreign investment source. The China-invested airline company, power plant, steel company, ceramic company, cement factory have created many job opportunities and boosted industrialization.

Forging ahead, we must continue to anchor our relations and cooperation on the basis of the one-China principle. We firmly believe that our Ghanaian friends, together with the international community, will continue upholding the one-China principle and extend understandings and supports for the Chinese people’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” and striving for national reunification.