EU, four allies speak in favor of Taiwan at U.N. general assembly
ROC Central News Agency
09/24/2022 02:57 PM
New York, Sept. 23 (CNA) The leaders of the European Union and of Taiwan's four diplomatic allies on Friday expressed concern over the stability of the Taiwan Strait or voiced support for Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations' system during the General Debate of the U.N. General Assembly.
The 77th U.N. General Assembly is being held in New York from Sept. 20-26, the first in-person session since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020.
In his remarks focused mainly on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President of the European Council Charles Michel said the EU calls for maritime security and the preservation of stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Michel said the bloc recognizes Beijing's "one China" principle but "will not close our eyes to the violations of human rights" in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
"We want emerging powers, including China, to participate sincerely in the collective efforts for peace and development," he said.
Michel's remarks came just two days after United States President Joe Biden made similar comments at the same venue, saying that Washington seeks to "uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
According to Taiwan's foreign ministry, the reference of Taiwan by a U.S. president in a U.N. address is rare and is likely to be the first in recent years.
In the meantime, Taiwan's Caribbean ally Saint Lucia also expressed concern over tensions in the Taiwan Strait at the General Debate on Friday.
Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said the recent escalation of military tensions in the Taiwan Strait had "threatened regional and international peace and security."
He was likely referring to China's military exercises in multiple areas around Taiwan in the wake of a trip to Taipei by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Aug. 2-3.
"Saint Lucia calls upon those responsible to observe the U.N. rules on peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of all countries," the prime minister said.
Pierre also championed "the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the organs and agencies of the United Nations," adding that Taiwanese people "ought to be allowed to continue their chosen path to economic, social and cultural development and to confirm their right to self-determination."
Similarly, Terrance Drew, prime minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, stressed his country's "unswerving support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the U.N. system."
"Taiwan has been a long-standing friend and a partner for sustainable development," the Caribbean prime minister said.
He added that the U.N. would be "stronger" in the company of "those who share our democratic principles and values."
Kausea Natano, prime minister of Taiwan's Pacific ally Tuvalu, said it was "regrettable" that Taiwan continues to be kept out of the U.N. system despite "its notable partnerships on a wide range of development issues."
"Tuvalu strongly supports the readmission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) into the U.N. as a founding member of the United Nations, and its active participation in U.N. specialized agencies, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change," Natano added.
Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño said the Central American nation "calls for Taiwan to take its rightful place among the international community of nations."
Taiwan continues to be excluded from the international community although efforts for development and prosperity in the world require the full participation of all countries and peoples, Briceño said.
"The outdated policy imposed on Taiwan to promote its exclusion must yield to the greater good," he added.
Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China (ROC), left the U.N. in 1971 when the People's Republic of China (PRC) took its place, and has since been excluded from U.N. agencies.
Taiwan's government has said it had asked its 14 diplomatic allies and other like-minded countries to voice support for the nation's inclusion in the U.N. system this year, either by speaking up during the General Assembly or sending a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
Taiwan is left with 14 allies that recognize the ROC as a country, after several countries in Africa, the Americas and the Pacific switched recognition to the PRC in recent years.
Over the past few days, the head of state or the envoy of Paraguay, the Marshall Islands, Guatemala, Palau and Eswatini have also spoken in favor of Taiwan's participation in the U.N. system.
Speaking about the Taiwan Strait, Manasseh Sogavare, prime minister of Taiwan's former ally, the Solomon Islands, called on "all countries to be sensitive and not inflame tensions that can threaten the unity and security of any country."
The Solomon Islands and Taiwan severed diplomatic ties in 2019, shortly after the Pacific island state decided to establish diplomatic relations with China.
In his remarks on Friday, Sogavare defended his government's decision to switch allegiance, saying it was made "through democratic processes by a democratically-elected government."
(By Teng Pei-ju)
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