U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Campbell Criticizes China’s Misuse of UN Resolution 2758
During a Congressional hearing on September 18, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell criticized China’s distortion and misuse of UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 to delegitimize Taiwan’s international status, marking the latest stance from the Biden administration on this issue.
In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly passed the Resolution 2758, recognizing the representatives of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government as “the only lawful representatives of China” to the UN and expelling the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek.
However, the PRC has misinterpreted Resolution 2758, falsely linking this UN resolution with Beijing’s so-called “One China principle” and using it to block Taiwan’s participation in the UN and other international organizations.
During the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on September 18, U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) pointed out that the PRC has been distorting Resolution 2758 to falsely claim Taiwan as part of China.
Barr added, the resolution did mention Chiang Kai-shek, but it was silent on Taiwan’s status.
He then asked Campbell to clarify the U.S. position on China’s interpretation and usage of Resolution 2758.
Campbell agreed with Barr’s observations and replied that China has used UN Resolution 2758 as “a tool” to support its interpretation of a “One China principle” and “make the argument that somehow Taiwan’s status is illegitimate.”
Campbell also reiterated U.S. commitments to Taiwan, saying the U.S. policy towards Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the Six Assurances, and the Three Communiques.
On the Chinese military threat toward Taiwan, he pointed out that the TRA gives the U.S. the capacity to help resist aggression in the Western Pacific.
Campbell described Taiwan as “highly resilient.” He added, “I do believe that they recognize that many countries stand with them.”
References:
[1] RTI (Radio Taiwan International)
[2] Taiwan News
U.S. House Passes Bill Supporting “Taiwan’s Full Participation” in WHO
On September 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill with an amendment supporting “Taiwan’s full participation” in the World Health Organization (WHO).
The “No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act” (H.R.1425) establishes that any pandemic-related convention or agreement of the WHO that attempts to bind the U.S. shall be deemed to be a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) in March 2023 to limit the WHO’s influence after the world health body received strong criticism for its close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 219-199 on September 12, 2024.
Also included in the bill is an amendment proposed by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) that offers a statement of U.S. policy in support of “Taiwan’s full participation” at the WHO.
Ogle’s amendment passed unanimously with a vote of 403-0, with 34 abstentions.
Addressing the House floor, Ogles said “for far too long, we [the U.S.] have allowed communist China to dictate the course of U.S. foreign policy, as well as the agenda and membership of every major international organization, including the United Nations.”
“Decades upon decades of giving in to China has left Taiwan with fewer and fewer [diplomatic] allies. In the late 1990s, over 30 countries recognized Taiwan. Now the number is down to 12.”
“U.S. foreign policymaking has prioritized appeasing the PRC . . . and it needs to stop,” Ogles added.
References:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taiwan News
U.S. Approves US$288 Million of Military Sales to Taiwan
The Pentagon said on September 16 that the U.S. State Department has approved a sale to Taiwan of military goods and services valued at about US$228 million, which Taiwan’s military said will help maintain Taiwan’s combat readiness in the face of China’s increasing grey zone intrusions.
It was the 16th time that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has authorized an arms sale to Taiwan.
The State Department “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to Taiwan for “return, repair and reshipment of spare parts” for aircraft and related equipment, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a press release.
The U.S. Congress, which is expected to approve the sale, has already been notified, the DSCA said.
In Taipei, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the U.S. government for “upholding Taiwan’s safety in accordance to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense also expressed its gratitude for the approved sale.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s normalization of gray zone intrusions are putting pressure on training space and reaction times in Taiwanese waters and airspace,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
The aviation-related goods and services “will help maintain the combat readiness and safety of various types of aircraft equipment of our [Taiwan’s] air force,” the ministry added.
References:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taipei Times
Taiwan Thanks Dutch House for Refuting China’s Distortion of UN Resolution 2758
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry on September 13 thanked the Netherlands House of Representatives for passing a resolution clarifying that UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not establish China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, making it the first parliamentary body in Europe to approve such a motion.
The Taiwan-friendly motion passed the Dutch House on September 12 by an overwhelming majority, with 146 of 150 members voting in favor.
It states that the United Nations (UN) Resolution 2758 of 1971 does not determine the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over Taiwan, nor does the resolution preclude Taiwan’s participation in the UN or other international organizations.
The approval of the motion is significant for Taiwan, especially as the 79th session of the UN General Assembly just convened on September 10, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
The Dutch House’s move follows the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s (IPAC) passage of “Model Resolution on 2758” in July 2024 and another similar motion passed by the Australian Senate in August, the ministry said.
It was the third time the Dutch parliament has taken firm action to support Taiwan, MOFA added.
The Dutch House passed a motion in April 2024 to support Taiwan’s international participation, and another motion in May to urge the Dutch government to oppose China’s military drills around Taiwan and support the preservation of the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, the ministry said.