The People’s Republic of China has restated opposition to Taiwan independence, saying that it is a serious threat to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Chief of Political Section of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhu Songbo, stated this at the Media Salon on the One-China Principle as the Bedrock of China- Nigeria Relations on Thursday in Abuja.
Zhu, who explained that the one-China principle, which states that there is only one China in the world, stressed that 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 all of China.
Zhu further said that the application of the one-China principle is universal, unconditional, and unquestionable, stressing that all countries that have diplomatic relations with China and all member states of the United Nations must unconditionally adhere to the one-China principle.
Regarding Nigeria’s stance on the Taiwan question, Zhu appreciated the country’s commitment to the one-China principle, citing Nigeria’s actions, including the relocation of the Taiwan Trade Office out of Abuja. “Nigeria has been adhering to the one-China principle, which has been appreciated by China.
“We hope that Nigeria will continue to uphold this principle and support China’s efforts to achieve national reunification,” he said.
Speaking, the Director of Centre for China Studies, Charles Onunaiju, said the Chinese and Taiwanese are, in fact, one people, sharing a common history and cultural heritage.
He noted that Nigeria’s position on the One-China principle is sacrosanct, as evidenced by its commitment to recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China.
“The Taiwan Trade Office in Lagos operates merely as a trade facilitation entity, and not as an embassy, with its primary purpose being to promote economic and commercial ties between Taiwan and Nigeria,” he stated.
On his part, the Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, said no country will allow secessionist groups to undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that China is no exception in its stance against Taiwan independence.
According to him, the United Nations Resolution 2758 of 1971 recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the only legal representative of China, with Taiwan considered an integral part of it, a position reinforced by several other laws and frameworks that support the One-China policy, including anti-secession laws.
“The concept of “One Country, Two Systems” was propounded by Deng Xiaoping, aimed at achieving peaceful reunification while allowing for different systems to coexist within a unified China,” he said.
A lecturer at the International Institute of Journalism, Austin Maho, stated that the media plays a critical role in shaping society and public perception, and as such, journalists should exercise caution and responsibility in their reporting, particularly on sensitive issues such as the Taiwan question.
He reiterated that the People’s Republic of China considers Taiwan independence as a red line that should not be crossed, and journalists should be mindful of this in their reportage.
“To provide accurate and balanced coverage, journalists should thoroughly understand the issues between Nigeria and China, avoiding references to Taiwan as a “country” or calling for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and Taiwan,” he added.
