This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (U.N.), which is at the core of the post-WWII international order.

The more turbulent and complex the international situation becomes, the more we must firmly defend the international order underpinned by international law.

In 1971, Resolution 2758 was adopted during the UN General Assembly. It was not only a milestone in the diplomatic history of the People's Republic of China, but also a significant event in the history of the UN, and the history of post-World War II international relations.

At this important occasion, I would like to share some facts and points of view about UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the One-China Principle.

UNGA Resolution 2758, with extensive and authoritative legal force

On October 25, 1971, Resolution 2758 was adopted during the 26th session of the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority.

It reads, “Recognising that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,

Decides to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognise the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it."

With extensive and authoritative legal force, UNGA Resolution 2758 guides and obligates the global community to handle Taiwan-related questions in accordance with the one-China principle, carrying a wide-reaching and profound political impact on the practice of international relations.

Furthermore, international legal documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, all confirmed China's sovereignty over the Taiwan region and the one-China principle, which jointly serve as the legal cornerstone of the post-war international order.

The one-China principle, as the premise and political foundation for UNGA Resolution 2758

The core meaning of the one-China principle includes three aspects: there is but one China in the world, the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

UNGA Resolution 2758 solemnly confirms and fully embodies the one-China principle. It makes it clear that there is but one China in the world and that the Taiwan region is part of China.

It affirms that China has one single seat in the U.N., and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate representative of the whole of China, including the Taiwan region. There is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

After the adoption of Resolution 2758, all official U.N. documents referred to Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China.” It effectively made the one-China principle a basic norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community.

To date, 183 countries, including the Independent State of Samoa, have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle.

III. Distorting and smearing UNGA Resolution 2758, from ulterior motives and finally to defying people’s wishes

From the text and discussions of UNGA Resolution 2758, it is evident that both the recognition of the representatives of the People's Republic of China government and the expulsion of the "representatives of Chiang Kai-shek" were carried out within the framework of one China simultaneously.

Some forces clamouring that the Resolution "has nothing to do with Taiwan" are baseless; this is either due to historical ignorance or ulterior motives.

It’s been a period of time that some countries rehash the fallacy that “Taiwan’s status is undetermined” and want to pave the way for Taiwan to seek “international space.” Their ultimate agenda is to obstruct the realization of China’s complete reunification and national rejuvenation.

In essence, such behaviour ruins one country’s national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

The question of Taiwan’s status was fundamentally resolved in 1945, when the Chinese people won the great victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

This victory was won by the Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots, through hard-fought battles and great sacrifices. It shall by no means be undermined by the false narratives.

In 1975, the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and Western Samoa affirmed the one-China principle, which has been adhered to by all Samoan Governments.

In November 2024, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa of the Independent State of Samoa paid a successful visit to China.

The Joint Statement between the two countries reaffirms that: “Samoa firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and recognises there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory; the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China”, which China highly appreciates.

As friends giving mutual support, China fully supports Samoa in upholding its sovereignty and independence, and supports Samoa in developing its development path that is aligned to its context and focusing on the achievement of its long-term social harmony, security, freedom, peace and prosperity.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations established between China and Samoa in 2025, we are standing together with Samoa to firmly support each other’s core interests and to oppose hegemony and power politics, building a closer community towards a shared future between China and the Pacific Island countries!

Fei Mingxing is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Independent State of Samoa.