WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement ahead of the 52nd anniversary of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s (UNGA) passage of Resolution 2758, which switched recognition of China’s representatives at the United Nations from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China:
“Since UNGA Resolution 2758’s passage 52 years ago, Beijing has sought to use it as a tool to reinforce its ‘One China’ principle, which is different from the U.S.’ ‘One China Policy.’ In reality, the resolution does not mention the status of Taiwan, and contrary to Beijing’s assertions, its passage does not mean the international community accepts China’s claims with respect to Taiwan.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s long-standing campaign to deny Taiwan a role on the world stage has had a damaging impact on a multitude of issues where Taiwan’s contributions are of enormous value. To add insult to injury, Beijing has also worked to restrict Taiwanese nationals’ access to the UN and its facilities, and strong-armed Taiwan’s diplomatic allies regarding references to Taiwan in their national documents.
“Taiwan’s meaningful participation and engagement in international organizations is fully consistent with both the letter and the spirit of UNGA Resolution 2758. The United States and its like-minded partners must do more to support democracy and our Taiwanese partners.”
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