September 27, 2022
No. 262
Despite China’s continuing escalation of military intimidation against Taiwan, which poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) pushed forward with this year’s campaign to participate in the United Nations system. The government has effectively communicated the strong aspiration of Taiwan’s 23 million people to participate in the UN and has striven to gain international affirmation, support, and attention regarding its UN bid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is sincerely grateful to diplomatic allies and like-minded countries for endorsing Taiwan’s bid in various ways during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). MOFA appreciates their positive response to Taiwan’s appeal to oppose military threats, their high regard for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and their recognition of Taiwan’s contributions to the international community.
During the UN General Debate from September 20 to 26, high-level officials from 11 diplomatic allies spoke up for Taiwan. These were the Presidents of Paraguay, the Marshall Islands, and Guatemala; the King of Eswatini; the Foreign Minister of Palau; the Prime Ministers of Saint Lucia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Belize, Tuvalu, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and the Chargé d’affaires of Nauru’s Permanent Mission to the UN (listed in the order in which they spoke). They voiced concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region and maintained that the UN should not respond to Taiwan’s appeal for meaningful participation with a political interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758. They also stated that Taiwan has the ability to make greater contributions to realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urged the UN to accept Taiwan into its fold.
Meanwhile, like-minded nations have continued to express a high level of concern over developments in the Taiwan Strait. While speaking during the UN General Debate, President of the United States Joe Biden, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Lipavský, and President of the European Council Charles Michel all emphasized support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as well as opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. During the UNGA, the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraging the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. The United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and Germany also demonstrated concern over cross-strait developments during side meetings with other countries or through media interviews or official reports.
In addition, the legislative chambers of many countries continued to back Taiwan. Parliamentarians of the United States, Canada, Honduras, Colombia, Argentina, South Africa, and other countries endorsed Taiwan’s international participation through diverse channels, including passing laws, issuing joint communiqués, posting messages on social media, and sending letters to the UN Secretary-General. Furthermore, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in the Taiwan Strait, declaring support for peace across the strait and in the region and reiterating that the status quo across the Taiwan Strait must not be unilaterally changed. Members of the Formosa Club in Europe, hailing from 28 parliaments, and members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, who are legislators from 29 countries, issued public statements condemning China’s military provocations and reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan has communicated its appeal for UN participation to all sectors around the globe via publicity campaigns and new media. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu published an op-ed reiterating that, while resolutely defending its sovereignty, Taiwan would not escalate conflict or instigate disputes. He urged the UN not to continue to cite the erroneous interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 under pressure from China. He also stated that Taiwan is willing to contribute with the rest of the world in addressing many different complicated crises. Minister Wu’s op-ed was published at least 202 times by prominent media outlets in the United States, Canada, the European Union, France, Spain, Denmark, Lithuania, Ukraine, the Republic of Korea, Honduras, Eswatini, Belize, and other countries. Taiwan’s Helping Hand, a short film focusing on Taiwan as an excellent and indispensable partner in the worldwide implementation of the SDGs, received an overwhelming response, with 10.23 million views online. Taiwan’s large-scale billboard video entitled Give Taiwan a Voice: a Voice for Good was shown at New York City’s landmark Times Square. It attracted worldwide attention, fostering international understanding and support for Taiwan’s aspiration to participate in the UN.
President Tsai Ing-wen delivered keynote remarks at the Annual Summit hosted by the New York-based nonprofit organization Concordia on September 19 (US Eastern Standard Time). In her prerecorded remarks, she emphasized that “securing Taiwan’s democracy is imperative in securing freedom and human rights for our collective future.” She called on all nations to work together to fend off authoritarian expansionism and include Taiwan in the UN. Her participation was highly significant in that this was the first time Taiwan’s head of state was invited to address a large public event held by the UN community in New York while the UNGA was in session.
Taiwan held a number of side events in New York to demonstrate that it is willing and able to contribute to the UN’s priority issues of peace, innovation, and sustainable development. On the sidelines of the UNGA, Deputy Chair of the National Council for Sustainable Development Tsai Hung-teh released Taiwan’s second voluntary national review on its implementation of the SDGs. He also held talks with Marshall Islands Permanent Representative to the UN Amatlain Elizabeth Kabua, Palauan Permanent Representative to the UN Ilana Seid, and Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund Alex L. J. Shyy, showing that Taiwan is a responsible partner in the global realization of the SDGs. Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang and Founder of Miniwiz Co., Ltd. Arthur Huang shared their experience with innovation at the Concordia Annual Summit, underscoring Taiwan’s ability and readiness to provide assistance in advancing the UN agenda for enhancing the well-being of humankind. All of these side events were well received.
A Legislative Yuan delegation comprising Legislators Fan Yun and Wang Wan-yu traveled to New York to provide guidance and convey the Taiwanese people’s resolute support for the government’s UN campaign. Meanwhile, overseas compatriot communities demonstrated their creativity in organizing activities that lent support to Taiwan’s cause. They held rallies, published advertisements, and employed other means to increase the magnitude of support for Taiwan. They also joined in concerted efforts with the government to convey to the international community Taiwan’s appeal for early inclusion in the UN. MOFA appreciates and is strongly encouraged by these efforts.
MOFA again sincerely thanks diplomatic allies and like-minded countries for their staunch support, both vocally and through concrete friendly measures, for Taiwan’s participation in the UN system. As a responsible member of the global village, Taiwan will continue to work with the democratic community to deter authoritarian expansion and safeguard the rules-based international order. Taiwan will further promote its UN campaign in a professional, pragmatic, and constructive manner; demonstrate its determination to connect with the rest of the world; and draw international attention to its positive values. (E)