Richard Saunders, Singapore
Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Sunday accused China of being the true menace to global security, condemning Beijing’s “hypocritical” claims of defending peace under the United Nations Charter. His remarks were issued in response to comments made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) at the Munich Security Conference.
At the conference, Wang asserted that several nations were attempting to “separate Taiwan from China,” criticized Japan for regional tensions, and emphasized adherence to UN principles.
In a statement from Taipei, Lin reaffirmed Taiwan’s sovereignty, declaring: “The Republic of China [Taiwan] is a sovereign and independent state, not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.”
He added that both historical precedent and international law make clear that Taiwan’s sovereignty has never been under the PRC. “Only the 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to determine our future,” Lin said. “Attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status do not alter the realities in the Taiwan Strait or the global consensus recognizing those facts.”
Lin rebuked Wang’s remarks on peace and lawfulness, accusing China of actions contradicting its stated commitments. “China continues to engage in military provocations near Taiwan and has repeatedly violated UN Charter principles prohibiting the use or threat of force,” Lin said, calling such behavior evidence of “a hegemonic mindset divorced from its rhetoric.”
Beijing has intensified military pressure around Taiwan, conducting large-scale drills in late 2023. China maintains that Taiwan was restored to its territory after Japan’s defeat in World War II, while Taipei argues it was handed to the Republic of China — long before the PRC’s establishment in 1949 — and that Beijing’s claims have no legal standing.
The Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese Civil War to Mao Zedong’s communists and continues to function as Taiwan’s formal state entity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Beijing to face the reality of the ROC’s existence, respect peace and stability, and end its efforts to mislead the world through aggression and disinformation.
“Cross-strait relations can only move forward when Beijing adopts a pragmatic and rational perspective, and engages in open, equal dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government,” the ministry said.
MOFA also urged the international community to continue its support for Taiwan, advocating for a united “democracy protection umbrella” to counter authoritarian expansion, defend shared democratic values, and uphold the rules-based international order.
“Taiwan will continue to stand firm alongside its democratic partners in preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait and ensuring stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement concluded.
