Taiwan's status has been 'locked in' by seven layers!
Recently, the tension between the mainland and Taiwan has eased somewhat, with even the ruling Democratic Progressive Party leader claiming to want to reconcile and communicate with the mainland. However, Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, immediately made trouble over the Taiwan issue upon taking office, stating that Japan would militarily intervene if there were issues in Taiwan. This has infuriated the Chinese government, which has recently criticized and engaged with Takaichi, demanding she retract her inappropriate remarks. However, in order to maintain her right-wing stance and domestic support, Takaichi is unwilling to retract her statements and apologize, leading to heightened tensions between China and Japan. Since Trump, who is right-wing, took office, global political trends have started to shift to the right, with traditional, regressive, and extreme right-wing forces gaining momentum, resulting in political division and turmoil.
Japan has historically had issues in recognizing its aggression against China and is unwilling to admit its mistakes. Now, Takaichi, like Trump, is spewing nonsense and causing verbal conflicts, worsening China-Japan relations. Recently, there has been a 'radar illumination' issue between China and Japan at sea that is truly concerning. Taiwan is related to China's strategic security, and the Chinese government views it as a core national interest, so it will not make concessions on this issue. On December 8, during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi took the opportunity to comprehensively elaborate on the historical facts and legal basis regarding the Taiwan issue, for the first time stating that Taiwan's status has been 'locked in' by seven layers.
Wang Yi stated that the current leaders of Japan have absurdly claimed that Japan can use military force if there are issues in Taiwan, which seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, openly violating commitments made to China, directly challenging the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order, and posing serious risks to peace in Asia and the world. Wang Yi emphasized that Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times. In December 1943, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom issued the Cairo Declaration, which explicitly stated that Japan must return the territory it stole from China, including Taiwan, after the war. In July 1945, the eighth article of the Potsdam Proclamation, jointly signed by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and later joined by the Soviet Union, stated that the conditions of the Cairo Declaration must be implemented.
On August 15, 1945, after Japan's defeat, the Japanese Emperor promised to faithfully implement all provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation and surrender unconditionally. On October 25, the Chinese government announced the resumption of sovereignty over Taiwan and held a surrender ceremony for the Taiwan Province in Taipei. In 1949, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China replaced the government of the Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, and naturally exercised sovereignty over all territories, including Taiwan. In 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758, deciding to restore all rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations and immediately expelling the 'representatives' of the Taiwan authorities from the UN.
The official legal opinion of the United Nations confirms that Taiwan is a province of China. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement stipulated that the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, fully understands and respects the Chinese government's position that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory, and commits to adhering to the position stated in the eighth article of the Potsdam Proclamation. The 1978 Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty confirmed that all principles stated in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement should be strictly observed.
Wang Yi said that this series of ironclad facts politically and legally fully proves that Taiwan is Chinese territory, and Taiwan's status has been 'locked in' by seven layers. Any attempt at 'Taiwan independence' is an act of splitting Chinese territory, and supporting 'Taiwan independence' is interference in China's internal affairs, which violates both the Chinese Constitution and international law. Wang Yi stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japan. As a defeated country, Japan should deeply reflect and act with caution.
However, it is precisely this country that once colonized Taiwan for 50 years and committed numerous crimes against the Chinese people whose current leaders want to stir up trouble over Taiwan and attempt to issue military threats to China. This is intolerable. The Chinese people and all peace-loving people in the world have a responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and an obligation to prevent Japan from militarizing again or even attempting to revive militarism. Based on the history of World War II and the maintenance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, Wang Yi's discourse is well-reasoned, justified, and unassailable!
