Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen released a video on November 8, expressing the island’s wish to be a part of ‘COP26′ to address the climate change. Her message is the latest of the diplomatic salvos being fired between Taiwan and China.
COP26 is a ‘Conference of Parties’ initiated by the United Nations to address climate change. Being a part of COP26 would mean an official, high-level contact with the UN.
But Taiwan is barred from UN activities.
So, the Taiwanese President’s request to join the COP26, despite wanting to fight climate change together, presents the UN with a conundrum.
Why is Taiwan barred from the UN?
China, ruled by the ‘Chinese Nationalist Party’ also known as ‘Kuomintang (KMT),’ was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945.
After the civil war between the ruling Nationalist Party and the Communist Party in China, the then-government exiled to Taiwan and continued its relations with the UN until 1971.
But Mainland China had successfully lobbied to gain recognition for itself, and consequently, the United Nations passed resolution 2758 on October 25, 1971.
To put it simply, ‘UN resolution 2758’ recognizes Mainland China as the ‘only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations.’
Taiwan (ROC), despite its membership of 26 years, has had nothing to do with the UN since October 1971. Its membership bid was rejected in 2007 by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Not a member of the UN, but hardly an outcast
Taiwan is hardly a reject. With advances in science and technology and an impressive economy, the island has had several friends over the years, most notably the US, which is committed to providing Taiwan with ‘defense capabilities’ under the ‘Taiwan Relations Act.’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had called for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the world body, prompting an immediate objection from China.
There are over 30 foreign representations based in Taiwan, and the island itself has 112 diplomatic missions abroad. Around 15 nations still have official relations with the island.
President Tsai Ing-wen recently wished friends in India and around the world a Happy Diwali.
While Taiwan seeks more international recognition, Mainland China is adamant that the island is a breakaway province and predicts a ‘reunification.’