In response to the white paper entitled “the One China Principle and the Taiwan Question” issued by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on February 21, 2000, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China on Taiwan wishes to comment on the erroneous statements contained in that white paper concerning its diplomatic affairs.
It is a fact well-known to the world that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been ruled by separate governments since 1949. The government of the Republic of China on Taiwan is therefore entirely justified in promoting its own diplomacy as this is nothing but the fulfillment of its duty towards the development of the 22 million people of Taiwan and the safeguarding of their existence. The PRC labeled our efforts in promoting pragmatic diplomacy and expanding our international space of activity as attempts to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. Such a statement is contradictory to reality. The Republic of China has been an independent sovereign state since 1912. It is certainly entitled to establish diplomatic relations with other nations in the world and to actively participate in international organizations and activities. It is our strong conviction that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should develop fully their international relations and participate in the international community. Furthermore, we believe that it is only through sincere exchanges and peaceful dialogue that we can build up the mutual trust needed to cooperate with and support each other. This in turn will serve as a good foundation for the attainment of a peaceful, democratic and unified China in the future. Both sides of the Taiwan Strait will then be able to jointly contribute to the international community.
We would hope that the PRC can recognize the fact that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been ruled separately and have not been subjected to each other’s rule since 1949, which is indeed the plain truth for all to see. Clearly, it is only when the PRC will give up its blockade of our activities in the international arena as well as its military threat against us that a favorable atmosphere for sound cross-Strait interaction as well as peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region can be created.
