TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday strongly refuted Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun’s comments on Taiwan's status.
The ministry said that Dong's remarks at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Thursday that imply Taiwan is part of China “are false, maliciously distort historical facts, and once again highlight China’s authoritarian nature and reliance on military intimidation.”
The ministry said that after World War II the Treaty of San Francisco superseded political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not cede Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China, and it has never governed Taiwan.
The ministry said Taiwan transitioned to political liberalization and democratization in the mid-1980s, holding its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, Taiwan’s central executive and legislative representatives have been elected by its people, “making it the sole legitimate government to effectively govern and represent Taiwan externally.”
“This also established the objective fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China exist as equal entities and are not subordinate to each other,” the foreign ministry said. Elections since then have further strengthened its democratic system and civic identity “reflecting the Taiwanese people's unwavering faith and resolve in the pursuit of freedom and democracy.”
The ministry said that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other, and China has no right to represent Taiwan internationally. It added China has conducted “lawfare” to justify “internalizing the Taiwan issue,” aiming to change the regional status quo, legitimize aggression, and undermine peace and stability.
Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, will continue to maintain the status quo while encouraging partner countries to counter China’s false narratives, the ministry said. It pledged to work closely with like-minded nations to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and across the Taiwan Strait.
