This coming September, Taiwan will fight again for its representation in the United Nations. This year, Nicaragua, along with 11 other countries, has submitted a joint proposal to the U.N. Secretary General requesting a working group be set up to examine the exceptional international situation involving Taiwan. Such a group would do much to ensure the rights of Taiwan's 23 million people to participate in the United Nations and its related agencies.
Taiwan's entrance into the United Nations would have been a non-issue were it not for the objections and immense pressures exerted by mainland China. Thus, the people of Taiwan are again faced with a grim prospect that it will not gain access into the United Nations and not be accorded the fundamental rights enjoyed by other countries.
From 1950 to 1971, the United Nations considered the question of China's representation. In October 1971, at its 26th session, the General Assembly adopted resolution 2758 (XXVI), which decided that the China seat would be held by the People's Republic of China. That resolution, however, failed to address the issue of legitimate representation for the people of Taiwan in the United Nations.
The founding purpose of the United Nations in 1945 was "for a better world." The principle of universality, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, demonstrates that the United Nations is open to all states regardless of their land size and population. All are welcome to participate and their rights are guaranteed. In all, 189 countries are members of this important international organization, including such small countries as Liechtenstein, Kiribati, Andorra and Seychelles. These countries are far smaller than Taiwan, yet they are accorded the benefits of membership.
With the admission of Tuvalu to United Nations in 2000, Taiwan is the only aspiring country that remains waiting in the wings. Its long wait has nothing to do qualification, since the island is a fully democratic country with a stable social and economic system.
In fact, its world ranking alone should have guaranteed the country a spot long ago. Taiwan's population ranks 21st in the world. It is now the world's 17th-largest economy in terms of GNP, the 15th most important trading country and the 16th-largest foreign direct investor.
It is clear that Taiwan exclusion from the United Nations is due to China's interference. Since China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, it will not allow Taiwan representation. However, given that Taiwan has its own separate territory and government, China's claim does not have any validity. Since 1949, Taiwan and China each have had a distinct government. China has to reconcile itself to Taiwan's existence so the two sides can move in a positive and mutually beneficial direction.
Furthermore, Taiwan's effort to seek representation would not challenge China's seat, nor does it jeopardize the eventual unification of the two countries. A case in point can be seen when West and East Germany joined the United Nations in 1973, followed by South and North Korea in 1990.
The two Germanys co-existed in the United Nations before they reunited, and the two Koreas still pursue their goal for unification. Therefore, there is no reason to worry about Taiwan's membership negatively impacting unification across the Taiwan Strait. In fact, the opposite response would likely happen. If China continues to block Taiwan's efforts, it will not only anger the Taiwanese people but also mar the relationship between the two sides.
Even though Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, its people continue to play a positive role in entrenching democracy in Asia, promoting world trade, eradicating poverty and advancing human rights. Just imagine how much more it can do as a member nation. Above all, it is a peace-loving country that is able and willing to carry out the obligations required in the U.N. charter.
As a humanitarian-minded country, it has sent more than 10,000 experts to countries in Asia, the South Pacific, Latin America and Africa to help develop their agricultural, fisheries and aquacultural industries. Over the past years, it also has provided disaster relief to various countries throughout the world, including China.
In the world of increasing globalization, the United Nations should act to ensure that the voice of the 23 million people on Taiwan be heard in international affairs. After all, Taiwan deserves better.
Amy S.C. Liu is director of the Information Division for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco.