Taiwan separatists pursuing illusory goal: China Daily editorial

The so-called "four appeals" the Taiwan authorities recently made for the island's participation in the United Nations are nothing but their latest ploy to get UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 overturned.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution on Oct 25, 1971, by an overwhelming majority, which not only restored the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the UN but also recognized the representatives of its government as the sole legitimate representatives of China, necessitating the ouster of the representatives of the Chinese island from the UN and all its organizations.

The separatists in support of the Tsai Ing-wen authorities are holding protests in New York during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, which began on Tuesday. They are calling on the UN to stop "misinterpreting" Resolution 2758 and allow Taiwan to "meaningfully participate" in the UN and its organizations. In the process they have become a laughing stock.

The separatists on the island seem to believe that a legally binding UN resolution, passed by the General Assembly, can be annulled by holding such farcical events. They have promised to indulge in similar playacting during the General Debate from Sept 19 to 26. The pro-independence forces know full well Resolution 2758 cannot be annulled, and yet they continue their mindless exercise perhaps because they believe Washington will help them achieve their illegal, illusory goal.

Resolution 2758 resolved, politically, legally and procedurally, the issue of the representation of China, which includes Taiwan, in the UN and other international institutions.

The one-China principle has been acknowledged and accepted by the international community, thus eliminating any room for anyone, any country or any force to create or talk about "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". And on the basis of the one-China principle, 182 countries have established diplomatic relations with China.

Resolution 2758 makes it unequivocally clear the Taiwan island has no basis whatsoever to participate in the UN or any other international organization as a separate country. Therefore, any issue regarding the Taiwan island's participation in the activities of international organizations must be addressed under the framework of the one-China principle.

Moreover, the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and its resolution a matter for the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pursue.

Some politicians in the United States started distorting Resolution 2758 in October last year, which emboldened the Tsai authorities to try to hijack the UN General Assembly agenda and challenge the UN-centered international order.

Such attempts by US politicians to confuse the global public by hollowing out the one-China principle and turn back the wheel of history will only meet opposition from the international community, and are doomed to failure.