For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – September 24, 2025
Contact: 202-547-3686

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FAPA: Excluding Taiwan Weakens UN, Emboldens China

This year, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), yet Taiwan remains unjustly barred from the global body. The UN cannot claim to embody universality, justice, or inclusion while excluding Taiwan’s 23 million people.

FAPA National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao stated: “Denying Taiwan a seat at the UN undermines the credibility of the entire institution. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and a responsible member of the international community that has long contributed to global public health, disaster relief, and international development.”

A report from the Lowy Institute by Courtney Fung and Shing-hon Lam, titled Mixed Report Card: China’s Influence at the United Nations, underscores the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) growing abuse of the UN system. Beijing has sought to exploit this influence by placing Chinese nationals in key leadership positions, where they are expected to advance China’s authoritarian agenda and expand its power at the expense of established international norms and rules. In doing so, these officials leverage UN authority and legitimacy to promote PRC interests—whether by linking UN agencies’ work to Belt and Road Initiative projects or, more critically, by constraining Taiwan’s diplomatic space.

China has also expanded its influence across UN member states to silence Taiwan. Dr. Kao added: “Through coercion and economic leverage, Beijing pressures the UN members and Secretariat to adopt language that delegitimizes Taiwan, bars Taiwanese passport holders and journalists from UN premises, and subsequently restricts Taiwan’s international space.”

For decades, China has mischaracterized the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to block Taiwan’s participation and misrepresent Taiwan as part of the PRC. Dr. Kao emphasized: “Beijing’s mischaracterization of Resolution 2758 not only dangerously ‘justifies’ its aggression against Taiwan but also erodes the UN’s integrity by allowing one member’s territorial ambitions to override the rights of an entire democratic nation.” Resolution 2758 did not address Taiwan’s sovereignty or authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan’s people.

Dr. Kao concluded: “At the same time, FAPA applauds the strong bipartisan support from the United States in pressing for Taiwan’s meaningful international participation in bills such as the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act. This bill would require reporting on China’s efforts to block Taiwan’s participation in the UN and other international organizations, among other pro-Taiwan provisions. Such congressional efforts send a powerful message that Taiwan’s democracy must not be silenced, marginalized, or excluded from the global community.”