Resolution to Oppose the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) Misuse of United Nations Resolution 2758 to Delegitimize Taiwan and Exclude Taiwan from International Organizations

Prior to task force meetings, ALEC posts these legislative member-submitted draft model policies to our website. The draft model policies are then discussed, debated, and voted on by ALEC task force members. Policies that receive final approval by legislators on the ALEC Board of Directors become official ALEC model policy. Draft model policies that fail to become official ALEC model policy are removed from the website.

Summary

This model resolution opposes the misuse and intentional misrepresentations of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 Restoration of the Lawful Rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations also known as the Resolution on Admitting Peking. Adopted by UNGA in October 1971 the People’s Republic of China (PRC) often distorts UNGA Resolution 2758 weaponizing it against Taiwan.

Resolution to Oppose the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) Misuse of United Nations Resolution 2758 to Delegitimize Taiwan and Exclude Taiwan from International Organizations

Whereas, Taiwan was one of the 51 original member states of the United Nations (UN) at its inception in 1945; and

Whereas, on October 25, 1971, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted UNGA Resolution 2758 which recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the representative of the member state “China” in the United Nations; and

Whereas, UNGA 2758 Resolution’s sole purpose was to address the question of which government would represent the seat in the UN for “China” and was never intended to address any other topics including those related to Taiwan’s ultimate political status; and

Whereas the PRC frequently conflates UNGA Resolution 2758 with its “One China Principle” which is a policy held by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) alleging that: the PRC is the only sovereign nation using the name “China” and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of “China”; and

Whereas, PRC officials misrepresent UNGA Resolution 2758, claiming that the adoption of the Resolution implies acceptance of the PRC’s “One China Principle” including the PRC’s claims to Taiwan despite the fact that UNGA Resolution 2758 does not and was never meant to represent an international consensus regarding the PRC’s stance on Taiwan and whether or not it is a part of the PRC; and

Whereas, the PRC misleadingly claims that countries with a “one China policy” have accepted and abide by the PRC’s “One China Principle and has misused UNGA Resolution 2758 to influence and coerce 10 countries since 2016 to change their diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the PRC; and

Whereas, the “one China policy” of the United States does acknowledge the PRC’s “One China Principle”, however, it affirms that:

(1) The United States does not take a position on Taiwan’s status; and

(2) This issue should be resolved peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait; and

Whereas, in 1982, the United States conveyed Six Assurances to Taiwan’s President Chiang Ching-kuo, including that the United States had not changed its stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty, and with each successive presidential administration these Six Assurances have been reaffirmed; and

Whereas, the PRC has weaponized UNGA Resolution 2758 and the “One China Principle” to isolate and delegitimize Taiwan globally and to prevent its meaningful participation at the United Nations, United Nations-affiliated agencies and other international organizations including but not limited to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Interpol; and

Whereas, former US officials have observed that the PRC manipulates UNGA Resolution 2758 to make false claims regarding Taiwan’s status in order “to undermine the international order and the international system;” and

Whereas, the PRC’s strategy of disseminating disinformation about the scope and purpose of UNGA Resolution 2758 is succeeding with some UN members refusing to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in UN entities including the expulsion of Taiwan from the Central American Parliament (also known as PARLACEN) after 20 years as a permanent observer and the routing of communications to Taiwan through the PRC; and

Whereas, the US Department of State released a statement in 2021 which identified the United Nations’ exclusion of Taiwanese civil society members and emphasized that denying entry to such individuals undermines the work of the United Nations; and

Whereas, US allies including but not limited to Australia and the Netherlands have rejected the PRC’s attempt to distort UNGA Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from meaningful UN participation; and

Whereas, the PRC’s weaponization of UNGA Resolution 2758 includes threats to Taipei that if Taiwan does not “clarify” UN member states’ understanding of the Resolution, Beijing might overturn the cross-Strait status quo; and

Whereas, the government of Taiwan appealed to the UNGA for greater inclusion in this international body at the 79th UNGA in September 2024 which featured the theme: “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future”; and

Whereas, the PRC’s weaponizing of UNGA Resolution 2758 has consistently “left behind” Taiwan’s 23.5 million people since 1971.

Therefore, be it resolved that this legislative body:

(1) Calls on the United Nations to oppose the misuse of UNGA Resolution 2758 by the PRC and for the United Nations to cease using UNGA Resolution 2758 to deny Taiwan meaningful participation in UN institutions; and

(2) Calls on the United Nations Secretariat to remain neutral and to cease citing UNGA Resolution 2758 to prevent Taiwanese nationals and news media from visiting UN buildings or attending or covering UN conferences and events.

Therefore, be it resolved that this legislative body:

(1) Reaffirms that the longstanding “one China policy” of the United States does not recognize the PRC’s claim to control over Taiwan and its outlying islands and reaffirms the interest of the United States in a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues;

(2) Has not agreed to take any position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan, and will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC:

(3) Reaffirms that the “one China policy” of the United States and the similar policies of its partners are not equivalent to the “One China Principle” of the CCP;

(4) Emphasizes that UNGA Resolution 2758 is not equivalent to, and does not endorse, the PRC’s “One China Principle”;

(5) Emphasizes further that UNGA Resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan’s ultimate political status, as explicitly recognized by PRC leaders at the time and does not represent a UN consensus on Taiwan’s status;

(6) Opposes China’s use of the “One China Principle” to coerce the United States, Taiwan, and other countries to accept its claims over Taiwan;

(7) Supports Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in continuing official relationships with Taiwan and other nations across the world in strengthening their partnership with Taiwan;

(8) Reaffirms support for Taiwan’s membership in international organizations for which statehood is not a requirement for membership and encourages meaningful participation for Taiwan in organizations in which its membership is not possible;

(9) Encourages the United States Government to work with partners on joint efforts to counter China’s false narratives about UNGA Resolution 2758; and

(10) Supports the efforts of other countries to differentiate between their policies and the “One China Principle” to counter PRC propaganda about international views of Taiwan.