Scholars say UN resolution reaffirms nation's sovereignty over Taiwan

International law experts reaffirmed the validity of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the one-China principle during an academic seminar on Saturday in Wuhan, Hubei province, emphasizing their importance in upholding the UN-centered international order.

"UN Resolution 2758 recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China to the UN," said Miguel de Serpa Soares, former UN undersecretary-general for legal affairs, at the seminar marking the UN's 80th anniversary. The event was jointly hosted by Wuhan University and Egypt's Benha University.

Experts from several countries refuted misinterpretations of Resolution 2758 and key post-World War II documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration. Using legal reasoning and historical evidence, they reiterated the legal status and enduring importance of these documents.

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"The resolution provides China with sovereignty over Taiwan both legally and historically," said Ignacio de la Rasilla, professor of international law at Wuhan University.

Mamadou Hebie, associate professor of international law at Leiden University in the Netherlands, reviewed the historical context of Resolution 2758 by presenting statements from African representatives to the UN in the 1960s and 1970s, underscoring the contribution of African nations to the resolution.

He cited a remark made by Solomon Pratt of Sierra Leone in 1969: "Taiwan has never in modern times been an independent state. It has always been recognized as part and parcel of China."

"The global majority, through a clear understanding of history, strong legal reasoning, and a vision for the future of the organization, was able to articulate an unassailable case for the restoration of China's legal rights," Hebie said.

Citing evidence such as the UN's consistent use of the term "Taiwan, province of China" in official documents and the fact that more than 180 countries have established diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle, scholars at the seminar reaffirmed that Resolution 2758 has fully addressed the issue of Taiwan's representation at the UN.

"Upholding the authority of the resolution means safeguarding international fairness and justice, which serves the common interests of the global community," said Kong Qingjiang, director of the Academy for the Foreign-related Rule of Law at the China University of Political Science and Law.

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Zhu Kongjun, Party secretary of Wuhan University, warned that "certain forces are attempting to challenge the postwar international order established by the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Declaration and overturn the principles embodied in UN Resolution 2758." He called for efforts to safeguard these hard-earned principles that have stood the test of time and remain vital to global peace.

Zhao Shitong, deputy director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said "acts of distorting or challenging Resolution 2758 not only undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity but also challenge the authority of the UN."

Two books compiling texts, documents, materials and legal studies related to UN Resolution 2758 were also released at the event.

Contact the writers at lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn