At the annual United Nations General Assembly Meeting in 2019, China reiterated its stance on Taiwan. China asserted its claim on Taiwan as an “inalienable part of its national territory” and urged other countries to follow their position. This stance, which has been the same for decades, shows no signs of shifting in the foreseeable future.
China Seeks to Establish Global Standard on Taiwan
Since 1949, China has viewed Taiwan as its inalienable part of the nation, and in an effort to remain unified, China has pushed for a One China policy. This policy has been adopted by most nations, but not the United States or any of its allies, who continue to recognize Taiwan as an independent nation.
At the General Assembly meeting in New York, Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi, declared China’s long-held and stated position on Taiwan. Mr. Yi referred to this policy as something of a “nonnegotiable political principle and diplomatic bottom line” when it comes to his country’s stance on issues relating to Taiwan.
In addition, Mr. Yi requested that the members of the United Nations support China’s position of “noninterference” and appeal that all countries abide by the UN’s principle of non-interference. This would help establish a “global standard” that recognizes the One China Policy.
China Seeks to Disrupt U.S. Relationships with Taiwan
China has long been at odds with the United States over the issue of Taiwan. As a thriving democracy and area of rising importance to global politics, the United States and its allies have recognized the self-governing island as an independent and autonomous nation. Recently, the United States has reignited tensions with China by deepening their relationships and discussions with Taiwan.
This has, as expected, been met with a stern rebuttal from Beijing. Mr. Yi, who spoke at the General Assembly on behalf of China, made it clear that he views all attempts by the United States to “whip up” support for Taiwan as “an interference in China’s internal affairs and a violation of the One China policy”.
The U.S. and its allies who view Taiwan as an independent state are in direct opposition to China, who oppose any involvement with Taiwan, and Mr. Yi was quick to remind the UN of this, keen to remind all of the same strong stance that has been held for decades.
The Advantages of Multilateral Diplomacy for China
For China, the U.N. General Assembly meeting was as good a chance as any to reassert its stance on Taiwan. On a larger level, multilateral diplomacy can be an effective tool for China to leverage its position with the United States and other nations to their advantage.
By utilizing international organizations, such as the U.N., China can use the combined power of multiple states and organizations to pressure its often-unwilling opponents into negotiations.
Additionally, multilateral diplomacy allows China to shift the narrative away from itself and its internal affairs and more onto the international stage where its position is not seen as an aggressive perpetrator, but rather as a negotiating partner.
Enforcements and Warnings to the World on China’s Position
Although Mr. Yi was clear in his message to America and its allies that the One China policy must be respected or else, he also extended an invitation to “all countries” to come to China for “mutually beneficial cooperation”.
Mr. Yi was quick to reiterate China’s persuasive message that its view is not only a moral one on Taiwan, but also a legal one, and that China’s territorial sovereignty must “absolutely not be challenged”.
Recognizing the importance of the UN’s role in multilateral dialogue and diplomacy, China was quick to stress the importance of non-interference through warnings that it “reserves the right to take further action” against any country that does interfere.
Despite heavy opposition from its rival countries, China remains unrelenting in its stance on Taiwan. At the 2019 United Nations General Assembly meeting, China reasserted its stance on Taiwan and urged all countries to abide by the One China policy. Through multilateral diplomacy, China is using its persuasive messages and warnings to gain support and recognition for its long-held view on Taiwan. As the situation stands currently, there is no indication of any change happening to the agreement anytime soon.
