中国驻澳大使肖千在《澳金融评论报》发表署名文章《坚持一个中国原则，维护地区和平稳定》（图）

本文转载自中国驻澳大利亚大使馆，仅代表原出处和原作者观点，仅供参考阅读，不代表本网态度和立场。

8月25日，驻澳大利亚大使肖千在澳大利亚全国性主流媒体《澳金融评论报》纸质版和网络版发表署名文章《坚持一个中国原则，维护地区和平稳定》，就澳舆论界及媒体近日围绕台海局势重点关切问题和不实报道，以答问形式予以具体回应和澄清。

肖大使强调，台湾自古以来就是中国领土，两岸同属一个中国、台湾是中国一部分的事实从未改变。一个中国原则是国际社会的普遍共识，是公认的国际关系基本准则。台湾问题的实质是分裂与反分裂的斗争，而非所谓“民主对抗威权”的问题。美国会众议长佩洛西窜访中国台湾地区，造成台海局势紧张升级，再次证明改变台海现状的不是中国，而是美国和“台独”分裂势力。澳方应恪守历届政府对一个中国原则的承诺，言行一致，不打折扣，避免中澳关系受到不必要的干扰和破坏。这符合两国和两国人民的根本利益。

全文如下：

近期，美国会众议长佩洛西窜访中国台湾地区，造成台海局势紧张升级。台湾问题受到澳各界广泛关注。我已在澳国家新闻俱乐部就台湾问题阐述了中方立场，我在此就相关问题作出进一步说明。

Uphold the One-China Principle to

Maintain Regional Peace and Stability

U. S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to China’s Taiwan region has caused escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Straits. The Taiwan question is drawing increasing attention among Australian public. In connection with my recent address to the National Press Club, I wish to further elaborate on the following.

Q1: Why do we say Taiwan is part of China?

Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times. Starting from the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE), the imperial central governments of China set up administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan. In 1684, the Qing court set up a Taiwan prefecture administration under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province. In 1885, Taiwan’s status was upgraded and it became the 20th province of China. In 1895, after a war between China and Japan, the defeated Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and Penghu Islands to Japan. In 1943, the Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom stated that it was the purpose of the three allies that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China. In 1945, the Potsdam Proclamation was signed by China, the United States and the United Kingdom, and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union. It reiterated: “The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” In September of the same year, Japan signed the instrument of surrender, in which it promised that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation. In October, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Q2: Since the People’s Republic of China has never exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan, is it entitled to opposing Pelosi’s visit?

In October 1949, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded, and became the successor to the Republic of China, and the Central People’s Government of the PRC became the only legitimate government representing the whole of China. The replacement of governments of China does not change China’s situation as a subject under international law, nor China’s sovereignty and inherent territory. As a natural result, the government of the PRC should exercise China’s full sovereignty, Taiwan included. Due to the civil war in China in the late 1940s and the interference of external forces, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have fallen into a state of protracted political confrontation, and hence the Taiwan question has arisen, but the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one and the same China and that Taiwan is part of China has never changed.

Q3: Is the Taiwan question a matter of “democracy against authoritarianism”?

The Taiwan question is a matter of struggle between separatism and anti-separatism, of which the one-China principle is the core. This principle is the consensus and the universally recognized basic norms in international relations. It is exactly the foundation upon which China has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries, including Australia and the US. Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1971 made it clear that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China. At the UN, the island is referred to as “Taiwan, Province of China”. Within Taiwan, the Kuomintang Party (KMT) has also long maintained the position that there is only one China. The majority of Taiwan compatriots identify themselves with China, and are firmly opposed to the secession of China. It is only since the 1990s that the “Taiwan independence” forces in Taiwan have been developing rapidly, taking a series of practical steps towards secession, in an attempt to alter Taiwan’s status as part of China and to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. The Chinese government has always been firmly upholding the one-China principle and resolutely opposing separatist activities.

Q4: Has China overreacted to Pelosi’s Taiwan visit and  changed the status quo of the Taiwan Straits?

The real status quo of the Taiwan Straits is that there is only one China, and both sides of the Straits belong to one and the same China. It is not China, but the US and the separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence” that are changing such status quo. The US clearly pledged in the Sino-US Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations that it will maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan. In recent years, however, the US greenlit and connived at visits to Taiwan by senior officials including the US House Speaker. The US pledged in the August 17 Communiqué released in 1982 that it intends gradually to reduce its sale of arms to Taiwan, leading  over a period of time, to a final resolution. However, the US has actually kept increasing arms sales to Taiwan in both qualitative and quantitative terms, with the total volume to date exceeding US$70 billion. There have been 5 more batches of arms sales in the past 18 months alone. The US also reiterated in the August 17 Communiqué that it has no intention of pursuing a policy of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. However, it has been assisting Taiwan in expanding its so-called “international space” and even openly helping Taiwan consolidate its so-called “diplomatic relations”. In recent years, the US’s moves to fudge, hollow out and distort its one-China commitment have become even more blatant. It has been continuously pushing the envelope on China’s red lines. Since the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power, it has also relentlessly sought “incremental independence” and pushed forward “de-Sinicization”. We reserve the option of taking all necessary measures solely to guard against external interference and separatist activities. We will only be forced to take drastic measures to respond to the provocation of separatist elements or external forces should they ever cross our red lines.

Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan is another case in point. Since the media reported Speaker Pelosi’s planned visit to Taiwan in April, China has time and again expressed its firm opposition and warned of the serious consequences. However, the US chose to have its own way, leaving China with no choice but to make a firm and resolute response. Our countermeasures are consistent with domestic and international laws, as well as international practices, with the aim to send a warning to the perpetrators, and to punish “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. These measures are to uphold the basic norms governing international relations that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and to maintain regional peace and stability. More than 170 countries in the world have voiced their support to China’s position.

Q5: Why are some remarks released by Australia on Taiwan question unacceptable to China?

As is clearly stated in the Joint Communiqué of 1972 establishing diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia, “The Australian Government recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China”. Australia’s commitment to one-China principle is clear-cut in both concept and content. China has never interfered in Australia’s internal affairs, nor has it done anything that undermines Australia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Government of Australia is obliged to stick to its commitment to one-China principle, both in words and in deeds, in name and in essence, with sincerity, without discount.

With the Australian new government came to power, we have seen a good start to reset China-Australia relationship. To keep the positive momentum free from unnecessary disturbance and disruption will serve the fundamental interests of our two countries and two peoples.

本文转载自中国驻澳大利亚大使馆，仅代表原出处和原作者观点，仅供参考阅读，不代表本网态度和立场。