To ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan should be included in the UN system

Lin Jialong Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the global supply chain, producing more than 90% of the world’s high-end semiconductors and a significant portion of the advanced chips driving the artificial intelligence revolution. In addition, half of the world’s maritime trade passes through the Taiwan Strait, making it a critical international waterway. Yet, while much of the world and billions of people have enjoyed tremendous prosperity as a result of peace and stability across the Strait, China continues to intensify its aggressive actions toward Taiwan. Beijing’s attempts to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and expand authoritarianism throughout the Indo-Pacific region pose a serious threat to peace and security around the world.

In recent years, global leaders have used bilateral and multilateral venues (including G7, EU, NATO, and ASEAN meetings) to emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. However, despite recognizing the importance of reducing tensions in the region, the United Nations has not taken action to address the challenges posed by the PRC or to integrate Taiwan into the UN system. As new approaches to engaging with Taiwan emerge in the international community and generate significant global benefits, the idea that the UN system must choose between the PRC and Taiwan is a false dichotomy. Now is the perfect time for the UN to evolve and reflect on its irrational policy of excluding Taiwan.

The first priority that the United Nations must address is to stop succumbing to PRC pressure and further distorting UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971. The PRC has deliberately misinterpreted Resolution 2758 and conflated it with its own “One China Principle,” which is different from the “One China Policy” adopted by many countries, and has ruthlessly suppressed Taiwan’s legitimate right to meaningfully participate in the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

This distortion of facts not only denies Taiwanese citizens and journalists access to UN premises, preventing them from visiting, attending meetings, and engaging in news gathering, but also has far-reaching consequences. In fact, Beijing’s use of Resolution 2758 to spread the fallacy that Taiwan is part of the PRC is one of the key elements of Beijing’s broader campaign to establish a legal basis for a future armed invasion of Taiwan. However, contrary to the PRC’s false allegations, Resolution 2758 deals solely with the issue of China’s representation in the UN. It does not mention Taiwan. It neither says that Taiwan is part of the PRC nor does it give the PRC any rights to represent Taiwan in the UN system. In other words, the resolution has nothing to do with Taiwan.

This case demonstrates the growing momentum of the People’s Republic of China to impose its will on the international stage. If not challenged and corrected, Beijing’s false claims will not only alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, but will also jeopardize peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and threaten the rules-based international order.

Thankfully, in recent months, several senior U.S. officials have criticized China for distorting resolution 2758 to justify its false claims over Taiwan. In addition, on July 30, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international organization consisting of more than 250 parliamentary members from 38 countries and the European Union, adopted a model resolution on resolution 2758 to demonstrate concrete support for Taiwan. In order to maintain international peace and security as outlined in the UN Charter, the United Nations must revisit and encourage the correct interpretation of resolution 2758 and explore ways to resist China’s aggressive ambitions.

The PRC’s expansionism does not stop at Taiwan. The China Coast Guard’s recent regulations are part of a broader gray zone strategy to reinforce the PRC’s specious territorial claims and expand its influence. By creating rules to justify boarding and seizing vessels and granting individuals access to disputed waters, Beijing aims to control international waters and challenge global norms and claims. To ensure global peace and economic stability, the United Nations and the international community must not only reiterate concerns about Beijing’s coercive behavior, but also work together to prevent its unlawful agenda.

History shows that democratic resolve must be demonstrated early – before it is too late. As the world’s foremost forum for international cooperation, the United Nations system is ideally positioned to address regional security challenges and support global economic stability. The upcoming 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and its future summits provide a timely opportunity to address critical security issues while advancing the broader goals of global sustainable development and building a more resilient global society for present and future generations.

Over the decades, Taiwan has proven itself to be a responsible and trustworthy partner. More recently, we have also made significant contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Accepting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system is undoubtedly the best option for the United Nations to mitigate potential regional crises, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and promote global prosperity.

Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to play its part, working with like-minded nations to maintain a healthy and resilient global supply chain, especially in the semiconductor industry, determined to move the world forward in the decades ahead.

To build a safer and better world, the United Nations system needs to include Taiwan.

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