China’s Ambassador to Israel Reaffirms Taiwan’s Status as Part of China

The Chinese ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, reiterated China’s position that Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China and that the Taiwan question is an internal affair. In a statement published by Israel Hayom, the ambassador emphasized that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan has entrenched a pro-“Taiwan independence” stance since 2000, which he described as the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The ambassador asserted that such attempts to reverse historical realities are doomed to fail.

Both China and Israel, he noted, were formed through centuries of hardship, and both nations value history as a lens for understanding the world. The ambassador highlighted that history and international law clearly establish Taiwan’s status as part of China. He pointed to ancient Chinese records dating back to the Three Kingdoms period in 230 A.D., which he said are roughly contemporaneous with the compilation of the Jewish Mishnah.

China’s central government has maintained administrative control over Taiwan since 1335, with the Qing government formally establishing Taiwan Prefecture in 1684, 92 years before the founding of the United States in 1776. The island was occupied by Japan following its aggressive war against China, a period that lasted for half a century. After Japan’s defeat in 1945, Taiwan returned to Chinese sovereignty. The ambassador cited several international legal instruments, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, as evidence of Taiwan’s rightful return to China.

In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, with Israel voting in favor, affirming that Taiwan, which had been stolen by Japan, should be restored to China. The ambassador’s remarks reflect China’s consistent diplomatic stance on the issue, emphasizing the importance of historical and legal clarity in international relations.

The ambassador’s comments underscore the broader geopolitical implications of the Taiwan question, particularly in relation to Israel’s foreign policy. While Israel has historically maintained a close relationship with China, the issue of Taiwan remains a sensitive topic in international diplomacy. The ambassador’s emphasis on historical and legal precedent aligns with China’s broader narrative of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The statement also highlights the role of international law in shaping the status of Taiwan. By referencing key historical documents and international agreements, the ambassador sought to reinforce China’s claim to the island. This approach is consistent with China’s diplomatic strategy, which often emphasizes the importance of historical continuity and legal legitimacy in resolving territorial disputes.

The ambassador’s remarks reflect a broader pattern in China’s foreign policy, where historical and legal arguments are frequently used to assert territorial claims. This strategy is particularly evident in the context of the Taiwan issue, where China has consistently maintained that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory. The ambassador’s comments serve to reinforce this position, emphasizing the importance of historical and legal clarity in international relations.

The statement also underscores the importance of international law in shaping the status of Taiwan. By referencing key historical documents and international agreements, the ambassador sought to reinforce China’s claim to the island. This approach is consistent with China’s broader narrative of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ambassador’s remarks reflect a broader pattern in China’s foreign policy, where historical and legal arguments are frequently used to assert territorial claims.

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