Recently, there has been a lot of misinformation and lies surrounding Taiwan-related issues in the Pacific Islands Forum. As the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, I find it necessary to tear off the deceptive facade of these lies, clarify the facts, and set the record straight.

“Pacific Islands Forum recognises both China and Taiwan”.

The truth is, the one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish relations with Pacific Island Countries and the PIF. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. These are the basic norms of international relations and the universal consensus of the international community affirmed by UNGA Resolution 2758. The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair that brooks no external interference. China’s position on the Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations is consistent and clear, that is, this must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. Taiwan is not a sovereign country. It is not qualified at all, and has never been accepted as a Forum Dialogue Partner or Observer. It is not the so-called “Forum Development Partner” either. As the most important inter-governmental organization in the Pacific Region, the Forum should respect the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and should not deviate from UNGA resolutions and UN practice.

“China threatens PIF’s integrity”.

On the contrary, China fully respects the Pacific Island Countries’ efforts to seek strength through unity. It is one of China’s “four fully respects” policy toward the PICs. China has always respected the important role of the Forum in regional cooperation. As a Forum Dialogue Partner, China has attended every Forum Dialogue Partners Meeting. China remains committed to deepening development cooperation with the PICs through the Forum, and making contributions to regional peace, prosperity and stability. China respects the Forum’s decision to postpone the Forum Dialogue Partners Meeting and looks forward to its early convening.

In fact, it is the Taiwan authorities, colluding with certain countries, try to advocate the “Taiwan independence” in the Forum, repeatedly seeking a “diplomatic breakthrough”. Some Forum Members even threatened not to attend the Forum Meeting if Taiwan authorities could not be there. These actions have seriously disrupted the Forum Meeting, distracted PICs from addressing key regional issues, and threatened PICs’ unity. This is not only a provocation to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a challenge to the authority of the United Nations and the post-World War II international order. Therefore, who is the contributor supporting cooperation within PIF, while who the instigator destroying members’ integrity, the answer is obvious.

“1992 Forum communique left space for Taiwan at PIF”.

People who hold this view are just arguing black is white, and forcing the forum to move backward. The Taiwan-related content in the communique blatantly violated UNGA Resolution 2758 and challenged the one-China principle. It was a historical mistake and the crux of the forum’s Taiwan-related issues. Past mistakes cannot serve as an excuse for future ones. Times evolve, and history progresses. Over three decades have passed, China has now established diplomatic ties with 11 out of the 14 PICs. Even the name and the membership of the Forum itself has changed a lot. So now, it is time to keep pace with the times, to respect the consensus of the vast majority of PICs, to correct historical mistakes regarding Taiwan, and to return to the correct track in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Only in this way can the Forum lay a solid foundation for stability and development in the region.

Finally, I would like to emphasize that just as China engages with the Forum in full sincerity and dedication, China’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected by all parties within the Forum. China calls on certain forces to cease their manipulative actions regarding Taiwan, restore the PIF to a platform of integrity and unity, support its focus on peace and development, and the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, rather than being distracted by irrelevant matters.

• There were errors in the article attributed to Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian published on Tuesday, September 2, which does not reflect the views of Mr Zhou. The original article written by Mr Zhou is now published to set the record straight. The views expressed herein does not reflect the views of this newspaper.