H.E. Michael Lin
Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis
February 25, 2025
Imagine this: A country that produces the world’s most advanced semiconductors, powering the devices you use every day—your smartphone, your laptop, even the servers running AI innovations. Taiwan is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the company that supplies chips to Apple, Nvidia and countless global tech giants. It is a thriving democracy, a responsible global citizen, and a key player in international supply chains. And yet, Taiwan is not part of the United Nations (UN). How does this make sense?
To illustrate the consequences of this exclusion, let us look back at 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when global cooperation was paramount, Taiwan stepped up to share its expertise and resources with the world. It donated millions of masks and medical supplies to countries in need. Yet, despite its goodwill, Taiwan was barred from participating in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). The reason? The People’s Republic of China (PRC) falsely claimed that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 meant Taiwan had no right to be there.
This exclusion was not only unjust but also detrimental to global health efforts. The world needed every capable nation to contribute, and Taiwan had much to offer. However, political manipulation prevented its participation. This is just one of many examples of how Taiwan’s contributions are blocked due to the PRC’s misuse of Resolution 2758. Given the growing complexities of global challenges, it is time to set the record straight.
The Misuse of UNGA Resolution 2758
To fully understand the issue, we must examine the historical context. Passed in 1971, UNGA Resolution 2758 merely resolved the issue of who would hold the “China” seat at the UN—it did not, in any way, address the representation of
Taiwan, nor did it state that Taiwan is part of the PRC. Yet, for decades, the Chinese government has used this resolution as a tool to systematically block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system. The UN Secretariat, under pressure from Beijing, has echoed this false narrative, barring Taiwanese officials, experts, and even journalists from setting foot on UN premises.
This manipulation of history is not only a disservice to Taiwan but also a direct challenge to the fundamental principles of the UN itself—peace, cooperation, and inclusivity. The UN should serve as a beacon of unity, not a stage for political exclusion.
A Threat to Peace and Stability
The consequences of Taiwan’s exclusion are far-reaching. The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly marked by geopolitical tensions, and the PRC’s attempts to alter the status quo through coercion—military exercises, economic pressure, and diplomatic bullying—are a direct result of its distorted interpretation of Resolution 2758. If left unchallenged, this misuse of international norms will not only undermine Taiwan’s security but also weaken global stability.
The world has witnessed similar stories before: when certain voices are silenced and a false narrative is repeated long enough, the truth becomes difficult to distinguish. Yet, history also teaches us that silence is never a sustainable solution. Ignoring Taiwan does not erase its existence; rather, it only magnifies the growing contradiction between reality and rhetoric. Therefore, it is imperative that the international community addresses this issue with clarity and resolve.
A Call for Fairness and Inclusion
To uphold the integrity of international institutions, the UN must correct course. First, it must acknowledge that Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system. Taiwan is already an active member of the international community, contributing to global health initiatives, climate change mitigation, and humanitarian aid efforts. To deny Taiwan a seat at the table is to weaken the very institutions designed to promote global cooperation.
Second, the UN Secretariat must maintain strict neutrality and cease its erroneous interpretation of Resolution 2758. It must also stop barring Taiwanese nationals and journalists from accessing UN premises for meetings and reporting. The UN cannot claim to be an institution for all while actively excluding 23 million people.
Global Voices in Support of Taiwan
Taiwan is blessed to have enjoyed the strong and continued support of St. Kitts and Nevis for its international participation. Over the past 42 years, our diplomatic ties have grown ever stronger, rooted in shared values of democracy, human rights, and mutual prosperity. We extend our deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Terrance Drew for his unwavering support of Taiwan’s international recognition. Beyond the Caribbean, Taiwan is also backed by like-minded nations including the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Australia, and the Marshall Islands as well as the international organizations like the European Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). They have also voiced their support through official statements and resolutions, clarifying that Resolution 2758 did not establish PRC sovereignty over Taiwan and advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations.
In addition, on September 18, 2024, the US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, publicly stated for the first time that "China is using Resolution 2758 as a tool to undermine Taiwan’s status." More recently, on December 13, 2024, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)—one of the largest organizations of state legislators in the US—passed a resolution condemning the PRC’s weaponization of Resolution 2758 and opposing its misuse to diminish Taiwan’s international standing.
At a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges—climate change, pandemics, food insecurity—global cooperation has never been more crucial. Taiwan has proven time and again that it is ready and willing to contribute. The only question that remains is whether the United Nations will live up to its own ideals.
Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHA during a global pandemic was a stark reminder that political maneuvering should never override humanitarian needs. The world cannot afford to ignore Taiwan any longer. It is time for the international community to recognize Taiwan’s rightful place and take meaningful action.
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