Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China
Dear Editor,
In an article entitled ‘Let’s plant good trees in 2026’ published in the Jamaica Observer on December 28 it is stressed that leadership must plan beyond its immediate political circumstances and act for the long-term interests of the people. The article cites the example of Deng Xiaoping, who steered China’s economic reforms and contributed to its decades of development far beyond his lifetime, including the hundreds of millions that were lifted out of poverty.
We do appreciate that the article fully recognises China’s able leadership and development achievements. However, the map of China illustrated in the article is incorrect because it does not include Taiwan, which is an inalienable part of China. We suppose this was an inadvertent mistake and, therefore, we would like to reaffirm the facts on the Taiwan question.
Taiwan has been part of China’s territory since ancient times. The Cairo Declaration issued in December 1943 explicitly demanded that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, including Taiwan, shall be restored to China after the end of the Second World War. The Potsdam Proclamation signed in July 1945 stipulated in Article 8 that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.
On October 25, 1945 the Chinese Government announced that it would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan and held a ceremony in Taipei to accept Japanese surrender in the Taiwan province. In 1949, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) replaced the Government of the Republic of China; became the sole legal Government representing the whole of China; and began to exercise sovereignty over all of China’s territory, including Taiwan.
In 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, deciding to restore all the rights of the PRC in the UN and expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan authorities from the organisation. The UN’s official legal opinion affirmed Taiwan as a province of China.
The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement stated that the Japanese Government recognises the PRC Government as the sole legal Government of China and fully understands and respects the stand of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the PRC. The Japanese Government also undertook to firmly maintain its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation. The 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan affirmed that the principles set out in the 1972 joint statement should be strictly observed.
Today, over 180 countries — representing the overwhelming majority of UN member states — have established diplomatic ties with China based on the one-China principle as the political foundation. This reflects that the one-China principle is the global consensus and prevailing trend of our times. China firmly opposes separatist attempts for “Taiwan independence” and interference by external forces. This is not only the natural requirement for defending China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and core interests, but is also part and parcel of China’s efforts to uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the fruits of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and maintain the post-war order. No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island evolves or what troubles external forces may make, the historical trend towards China’s ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable.
Jamaica has been lending solid support to China on matters involving China’s core interests, including the Taiwan question. In 2024, when meeting Chinese Foreign Minister HE Wang Yi, Dr Andrew Holness and Senator Kamina Johnson Smith reaffirmed Jamaica’s strong commitment to the one-China principle. As always, China deeply appreciates this.
China will always stand in solidarity with Jamaica in the rebuilding process in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Together, let’s close ranks to defend our sovereignty, independence, and development interests in advancing our respective development agendas. This is our abiding responsibility to our history and future generations.
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Jamaica
