Recently, Ambassador Guo Xiaomei’s article titled “The Taiwan Question: Truth rises, lies fall” was published in Estonian Newspaper Harju Elu, Lõuna Leht, Raplamaa Sõnumid and MK Estonia.
Full text in Estonian and Russian can be found here:
https://harjuelu.ee/taiwani-kusimus-tode-touseb-vale-vajub/
https://sonumid.ee/2025/09/02/taiwani-kusimus-tode-touseb-vale-vajub/
http://lounaleht.ee/index.php?page=1&id=39775
https://www.mke.ee/kontent-marketing/tajvanskij-vopros-pravda-vsplyvaet-lozh-tonet/
September 3 of this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. 80 years ago, after 14 years of bloody struggle, the Chinese people, together with the World Anti-Fascist Alliance, ultimately defeated fascism and drove away the invaders. As one of the fruits of this victory, Taiwan was freed from Japanese colonial occupation and returned back China in 1945. During my two years stay in Estonia, I have felt the high attention of Estonian freinds on the Taiwan question and at the same time noticed some lies and fallacies. I would like to offer some clarifications.
Taiwan as Part of China is Beyond Doubt
Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. There are numerous historical records and documents describing the early development of Taiwan by the Chinese people. As early as the Song Dynasty in the mid-12th century, China had established agencies and exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan. Zheng Chenggong, who recovered Taiwan in 1662 from over 30 years Dutch colonial rule, is known to every household of China as a national hero. In 1684, a Taiwan Prefecture under Fujian Province was set up by the Qing government, and later in 1885 Taiwan was placed directly under the jurisdiction of the central government as a full Province.
In 1894, Japan launched the war of aggression against China known as the First Sino-Japanese War, the defeated Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan to Japan. Following the victory of World War II, in accordance with the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Instrument of Surrender by Japan, Taiwan was restored to China. On 25 October of 1945, the ceremony for accepting Japan's surrender in Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taibei. On that occasion the chief officer for accepting the surrender proclaimed on behalf of the Chinese government that from that day forward Taiwan had again been incorporated formally into the territory of China.
It was the fact that the restoration of Taiwan was made to the then Government representing China, the Republic of China. However with the People’s Republic of China replaced the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing China on October 1 of 1949, the Government of the People’s Republic of China inherited the full sovereignty of China, including its sovereignty over Taiwan. The alteration of the legitimate government of China did not and could not change its inherent territory. After retreating to Taiwan, the Chiang Kai-shek clique confronted the central government under the name of the so-called “Republic of China,” resulting in long-term political confrontation across the Strait. However, Taiwan is part of China and both sides of the Strait belong to one China has never changed and always been the “status quo” of the Taiwan question.
It is worthy to note that the Government of Estonia “recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China’s territory”. This is enshrined in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Estonia, which constitutes the political foundation of China-Estonia diplomatic relations.
UN Resolution 2758 Affirms Taiwan Belongs to China
Resolution 2758 adoped by United Nations General Assembly at its 26th session in October 1971, “decides to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.” This resolution resolved, politically, legally and procedurally, the issue of the representation of all of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations. Its plain text and the process of adoption make it clear that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China in the United Nations, and that China’s seat in the United Nations is indivisible — there is no “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”
The Resolution has been fully and effectively implemented for more than 50 years before a recent argument to deny China’s sovereignty over Taiwan by claiming that the Resolution did not mention Taiwan. The falseness and absurdity of this argument is self-evident: Resolution 2758 did not mention Taiwan, just as it did not mention other provinces of China, once again proving the fact that Taiwan has never been a country but part of China. The established practice of United Nations and its specialized agencies using the term “Taiwan, a province of China” when referring to Taiwan after the adoption of the Resolution further reconfirm it. The legal opinion by the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs in this regard is succinct and clear. Any attempt to distort the Resolution with the aim to deny China’s sovereignty over Taiwan is doomed to fail.
Values are Not a Reason to Violate Another Country’s Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
Certain Estonian politicians insisted on strengthening relationship with Taiwan authorities using the excuse of so-called “democratic values”. In particular after the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, the narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism” and “today Ukraine, tomorrow Taiwan” prevailed. Estonia and Taiwan “both face threats from authoritarian neighbors” were frequently mentioned by them to justify their aitivities to show support for Taiwan authorities.
As I had already an article regarding to “democratic values”, what I want to stress here is simply the fact that the Taiwan question is fundamentally different from the Ukraine issue. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair, whereas the Ukraine issue is what between sovereign states. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs of other countries despite any value differences are principles on international relations which were enshrined in the UN Charter as basic principles of international law. Those who stress on safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Ukraine issue while violate China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Taiwan question are definitely a double standard. That approach doesn’t contribute in anyway to Estonia’s security.
“Taiwan Independence” is Incompatible with Peace in the Taiwan Strait
Estonian friends used to ask me: “China is already very strong. Why do you insist on claiming sovereignty over Taiwan? Aren’t you doing fine without it?” I always emphasize: just as sovereignty is eternal and inalienable in the eyes of the Estonian people, so too is every inch of territory to the Chinese people. China will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving the complete reunification is the common aspiration of Chinese people. Needless to say that peaceful means best serves the overall interests of the Chinese nation and always be the first choice of Chinese government. However it is also very clear that “Taiwan independence” means war, separation means no peace. “Taiwan independence” is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait. To maintain peace and stability, the one-China principle must be upheld.
The tense situation recently across the Taiwan Strait lies in more and more Taiwan separatist activities under the connivance of external forces. The Lai Ching-te authorities has stubbornly adhered to a separatist stance, intensified collusion with external forces, and even labeled the Mainland as a “hostile foreign force”, continually heightened cross-Strait confrontation.Those who truly care about peace in the Taiwan Strait should not send wrong backing signals to Lai Ching-te authorities, but to adhere to the one-China principle and support China in achieving its unification.
As an Estonian proverb says Tõde tõuseb, vale vajub which means truth rises and lies fall. I hope this article could help more people see through the lies and fallacies about the Taiwan question, and understand better the facts and truth of the matter.