Belize speaks for Taiwan's participation in U.N.

ROC Central News Agency

2018/09/30 13:02:20

New York, Sept. 29 (CNA) Belize, one of Taiwan's 17 formal diplomatic allies, voiced support on Saturday, the fifth day of the general assembly of the United Nations, for Taiwan to participate in the U.N. system.

Speaking in the week-long debate session of the U.N. assembly held in New York, Wilfred Elrington, Belize's foreign minister, reiterated his country's plea on behalf of the 23 million people of Taiwan for a new approach to including the island in the U.N. system.

Taiwan is the 22nd largest economy of the world. It is a vibrant democracy that has fully embraced international norms and standards, Elrington said.

"Yet, despite global recognition of their successes and despite the readiness of U.N. member states to conduct business with this fast growing economy, this institution has cut them off," Elrington said.

"It has gone so far as to refuse to recognize the legitimacy of Taiwanese passports and so literally cutting off even the Taiwanese tourists from entering its premises as visitors," he added.

The U.N. uses General Assembly resolution 2758 of 1971 effectively as a political and humanitarian embargo against Taiwan. "No such embargo, indeed, has any place in this U.N.," Elrington said.

The resolution, passed on October 25, 1971 during the 26th session of the U.N. General Assembly, recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) as "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations."

Taiwan has since tried to join the body as a separate member and engage in meaningful participation in the U.N.'s many organizations.

However, because of China's influence, not only has Taiwan been kept out of the world body but Taiwan's passport holders are not allowed to enter U.N. Headquarters. Instead, Taiwanese are required to show a mainland China travel permit to enter U.N. premises.

As the debate session of this year's U.N. Assembly entered its fifth day, 12 of Taiwan's 15 diplomatic allies that had spoken during the session have advocated for Taiwan's inclusion in the U. N. system. Its two other allies -- Nicaragua and the Vatican -- are scheduled to speak on Monday.

(By Ozzy Yin and Evelyn Kao)
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