Turkmenistan, as a permanently neutral state 30th anniversary of which is celebrated this year, builds its foreign policy on the principles of mutual understanding, equality, and mutual benefit. Our policy priority is a readiness for constructive engagement with all interested partners.

All projects in which Turkmenistan participates are depoliticized. Our country places particular emphasis on developing relations with those states with which it has established strategic partnerships, including such powers as the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Turkey, and others.

Cooperation with the People's Republic of China is based on a high level of trust. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan has repeatedly reaffirmed the state's position on the "One China" policy: "Turkmenistan declares its firm support for the "One China" principle and reaffirms that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan stated.

Below, we present a statement by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, which details the People's Republic of China's position on this issue.

Why the One-China Principle Is Unchallengeable

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Liberation of Taiwan, as well as the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. The return of Taiwan to China was a result of victory in World War II and an important component of the post-war world order. Recently, certain forces have maliciously distorted UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, demonstratively challenging the authority of the UN and the post-war world order.

China's position on this issue is consistent and clear:

First, there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China.

Based on historical facts, over 1,000 years ago, the Chinese central government established administrative organs in Taiwan and exercised jurisdiction there. The division of the Taiwan Strait is currently a matter left over from the Chinese Civil War in the middle of the last century; the fact that there is only one China in the world has never changed.

Based on legal facts, a number of international legal documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration, have affirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan. On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, restoring all rights of the People's Republic of China in the UN and recognizing the People's Republic of China as the "sole legitimate representative of China in the UN." Since then, the question of China's representation in the UN has been definitively resolved politically, legally, and procedurally. The official legal opinion of the UN Secretariat also clearly states that “Taiwan, as a province of China, has no independent status.”

According to the will of the people, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of the Chinese nation, family members and relatives, not enemies. The desire for peace rather than war, development rather than decline, contact rather than division, and cooperation rather than confrontation is the dominant public opinion on the island. The one-China principle must not be distorted or challenged. The historic process of China's complete reunification must not be halted.

Secondly, the situation in the Taiwan Strait remains tense, primarily because the Taiwan authorities, led by the DPP, refuse to recognize the one-China principle, attempt to change the status quo regarding both sides of the Taiwan Strait as belonging to one China, distort Taiwan's history, and sever its roots, implementing the "two Chinas" and "one China, one Taiwan" scenarios. Forces in certain countries, seeking to contain China's resurgence, condone and encourage the development of forces advocating "Taiwan independence," challenge and undermine the one-China principle, seriously violate fundamental norms of international relations, and seriously undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China firmly opposes this.

Third, the Taiwan question is China's exclusively internal affair, the core of its fundamental interests, and a red line that must not be crossed. Adherence to the one-China principle represents international justice, the will of the people, and the spirit of the times, and no force can violate it.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "No one should underestimate the firm determination, strong will, and powerful potential of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity! The historic task of China's complete reunification must and will certainly be realized!"

The one-China principle is the general consensus of the international community; it constitutes the political basis for the establishment and development of China's diplomatic relations with 183 countries, including Turkmenistan. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, Turkmenistan has consistently adhered to the one-China principle, which the Chinese side highly values ​​and continues the good tradition of mutual support with the Turkmen side on issues concerning the fundamental interests of both sides.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin