On April 23, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun was interviewed by Lesotho Television (LTV). He introduced the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the One-China Principle. The interview transcript is as follows:

1、LTV: What is United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758? What is the relationship between this Resolution and the One-China Principle?

Ambassador Yang: At its 26th session in 1971, the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which undertook “to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it”. The Resolution settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues of China’s representation in the U.N. It reaffirmed a principle of international justice and restored the rightful place of the People’s Republic of China in the international community.

The core meaning of the One-China Principle includes: there is but one China in the world, the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Every country should firmly oppose all forms of “Taiwan independence”, and resolutely support the Chinese government to realize national reunification. The One-China Principle is the premise and foundation for UNGA Resolution 2758, which solemnly confirms and fully embodies this principle. With categorical words, UNGA Resolution 2758 reaffirms that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative of the whole of China. The adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758 not only restored China’s lawful seat in the United Nations but also institutionalized the One-China Principle within the UN system and the broader international community. Furthermore, the adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758 had a wide-reaching and profound political impact on the practice of international relations. It effectively made the One-China Principle a basic norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community.

A handful of external forces are distorting and challenging Resolution 2758, laboriously peddling the pernicious falsehood of “Taiwan’s status being undetermined” in a bid to pave the way for Taiwan to seek “international space.” The fact is that UNGA Resolution 2758 completely precluded any possibility of creating “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.” The U.N. is an international organization of sovereign states, and accepts only representatives from such states. Since Taiwan is part of China, not a sovereign state, it therefore has no right to send representatives to the U.N. Although in 1949, the Kuomintang ruling clique continued to use “Republic of China” and “government of the Republic of China” after retreating to Taiwan, the so-called “Republic of China” and “government of the Republic of China” in 1949 were fundamentally different from the “Republic of China” and “government of the Republic of China” in 1945 when the U.N. Charter was signed. It had no authority to exercise state sovereignty on behalf of China and had no right to continue representing China in the U.N. Therefore, the term “representative of the government of the Republic of China” must not be used in UNGA Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971, and the phrase “expelling the representatives of the Taiwan authorities” must not be used either.

Certain countries, by engaging in hegemonic bullying, reneging on commitments and withdrawing from international agreements and organizations, and deliberately distorting UNGA Resolution 2758, have once again provided evidence of their unilateralism and power politics, exposing their hypocrisy and double standards.

2、LTV: Why is the One-China Principle regarded as a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community? How is it concretely embodied in diplomatic practice?

Ambassador Yang: The adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758 had a wide-reaching and profound political impact on the practice of international relations. It effectively made the One-China Principle a basic norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community. UNGA Resolution 2758 carries extensive and authoritative legal force and serves as the authoritative basis for the U.N. and organizations related to it to properly handle the Taiwan question. The Resolution has thus defined Taiwan’s position in international law and practice: Taiwan, as part of China, does not have any independent status in the UN system. The United Nations considers Taiwan as a province of China and the Taiwan authorities do not enjoy any form of governmental status. After the adoption of the Resolution, all official U.N. documents referred to Taiwan as “Taiwan, province of China.” It was clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.N. Secretariat that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status” and the “‘authorities’ in ‘Taipei’ are not considered to enjoy any form of government status.” This has been the consistent position of the U.N. and is clearly documented.

The One-China Principle stands as a universally recognized norm governing international relations and forms the political foundation for China’s relations with all other countries. To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the One-China Principle, including 53 African countries. Africa firmly supports the UNGA Resolution 2758. The Beijing Declaration adopted at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC also reaffirmed Africa’s firm commitment to the One-China Principle, staunchly supported all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, and resolutely opposed external forces’ interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the Taiwan question. This week, three African countries revoked overflight permits for Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini. The facts once again prove that the One-China Principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community. It represents the general trend of the times, the greater good, and the will of the people. A just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust one finds little. China urges certain countries to fulfill their obligations under international law, stand on the right side of history and make right decisions that truly serve their fundamental and long-term interests at an early date. It's never too late to make new friends. China stands ready to open up new chapters for relations with these countries on the basis of the One-China Principle.

3、LTV: Why do you say Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times?

Ambassador Yang: This statement has a sound basis in history. Archeological discoveries and research findings regularly attest to the profound historical and cultural ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Numerous historical records document the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people since the very early days.

The earliest recorded reference to the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people is in the Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer of the year 230, more than 1,000 years earlier than Columbus’s discovery of the New World. The central governments of China set up administrative bodies in 1087 to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan. Dutch colonialists invaded and occupied the southern part of Taiwan in 1624, and Taiwan was called “Formosa” by the Dutch colonialists. They only occupied a small part of Taiwan for 38 years. Chinese General Zheng Chenggong expelled Dutch colonialists from Taiwan in 1662. Japan launched an aggressive war against China in 1894 and defeated the then Qing government of China. Taiwan was ceded to Japan as a result of the war. The secession is temporary and the separation of Taiwan from the mainland lasted 50 years until 1945.

1945 marked the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. That means Taiwan’s return to China forms a vital part of the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order. Including The Cairo Declaration, The Potsdam Proclamation and Japanese Instrument of Surrender, a host of documents stated that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China, providing strong and sound international legal effect, basis and source. On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan.

4、LTV: The Government of Lesotho has firmly supported the One-China Principle and supported UNGA Resolution 2758. How should we assess the One-China Principle as the political foundation of bilateral relations? Could you please elaborate on the achievements China and Lesotho have made in strengthening political mutual trust?

Ambassador Yang: China and Lesotho have learned from history that adherence to the One-China Principle is the essential political foundation for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations. China highly appreciates the long-standing and firm commitment of the Lesotho Government, Parliament and people from all sectors to the One-China Principle, and their reaffirmation of this position through statements and other official channels. In the Joint Communiqué issued by the two governments in January this year, the Lesotho side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One-China Principle and recognition that there is but 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 sole legal government representing the whole of China. Lesotho resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge to its authority.

Such firm commitment is not only the political foundation of China-Lesotho relations, but also a vivid reflection of the ever-deepening political mutual trust between our two countries. Over the past year, high-level exchanges between China and Lesotho have become increasingly close. H.E. President Xi Jinping and His Majesty King Letsie III, as well as the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Sam Matekane have exchanged 5 letters, providing strategic guidance for the development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership. H.E. Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a historic visit to Lesotho in January this year, charting the course for the next stage of bilateral cooperation.

China and Lesotho firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, maintaining close coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs. The Lesotho side has firmly supported the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. China applauds the new progress that Lesotho continues to make in its national reform process and supports Lesotho in upholding its national sovereignty, security and development interests.

China and Lesotho are committed to advancing the strategic partnership to a higher level and making it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems.

5、LTV： We understand that the One-China Principle is an international consensus. How does Chinese mainland handle cross-Strait exchanges?

Ambassador Yang: Currently, the situation across the Taiwan Strait remains complex and severe. On April 10, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party. General Secretary Xi stressed that no matter how the international landscape and the situation across the Taiwan Strait may evolve, the overarching trend toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not change, and the prevailing momentum bringing the Chinese on both sides of the Strait closer together will not change. People on both sides of the Strait hope for peace and tranquility, improved cross-Strait relations, and better lives.

General Secretary Xi expressed the willingness to work with all political parties in Taiwan, including the KMT, as well as groups and people from all sectors, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, promote peace across the Strait, improve the well-being of the people and advance national rejuvenation, on the basis of the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence.” On this basis, we actively promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. Recently, the Chinese mainland has rolled out a package of 10 policies and measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, including enhancing communication, encouraging business growth, and promoting cultural exchanges. The measures, aimed at improving the lives of people on both sides of the Strait and meeting the needs of Taiwan compatriots, mark another important step in promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various sectors. The measures align with the shared aspiration of people on both sides of the Strait for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, and respond to the strong expectations of the public in Taiwan. A communication mechanism will be set up on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence”.