Allies send joint letter to UN in support of Taiwan

CALL FOR CHANGE: They urged the UN to facilitate Taiwan’s involvement in the body, recognize its peace efforts and to work with members in preventing military conflict

Representatives to the UN from five of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies sent a joint letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday, calling for the country’s inclusion in the body.

Allies in the letter sent ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly General Debate made three demands in support of Taiwan: inclusion, recognition and camaraderie.

They implored the UN to seek an appropriate way to facilitate Taiwan’s meaningful involvement in the world governing body, saying that UN Resolution 2758, which accepted the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as a member of the UN, does not exclude Taiwan.

The UN logo is pictured outside its headquarters in New York in an undated photograph.

Photo: AP

Beijing claims that the resolution “confirmed” its “one China” principle, while Taiwan says the resolution only addressed the issue of China’s representation at the UN and did not mention Taiwan, nor did it address its political status or establish China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.

Taiwan’s allies’ second demand was for the body to recognize the nation’s contribution to cross-strait peace through its efforts in maintaining the “status quo.”

Cross-strait peace is a crucial element in world peace and prosperity, they said.

From left, Permanent Representatives to the UN John Silk of the Marshall Islands, Janine Coye-Felson of Belize, Vynnette Frederick of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Ilana Seid of Palau pose in New York in an undated photograph.

Photo courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York via CNA

The third called on the UN to stick to its principles and work with member nations in preventing military conflict and promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The joint letter was addressed to Guterres and accepted by Guterres’ Chef de Cabinet Earle Courtenay Rattray.

Permanent Representatives to the UN Ilana Seid of Palau, Menissa Rambally of Saint Lucia, John Silk of the Marshall Islands, Janine Coye-Felson of Belize, and Vynnette Frederick of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines wrote the joint letter.

In a separate statement, Lee Chih-chiang (李志強), who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, thanked Taiwan’s allies for taking action to express their strong support for the country’s participation in the UN.

The UN must find ways to include Taiwan, so that the country can contribute to initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Lee said.

The inclusion of Taiwan is crucial to the UN fulfilling its theme for the debate of the 81st General Assembly: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” Lee added.

The General Assembly began on Monday last week, with the high-level General Debate running from Tuesday next week to Sept. 28, at the UN headquarters in New York City.