Slovakia’s Economic News published an exclusive interview with Sun Lijie, the ambassador to Slovakia, on the topic of ＂The United States provoked the escalation of the situation in the Taiwan Strait＂

On September 6th, 2022, Slovak Economic Daily published an exclusive interview with Sun Lijie, Ambassador to Slovakia, with the title of "The United States provoked the escalation of the situation in the Taiwan Strait". The Chinese version of the interview is as follows:

Pavel Novotny, Editor-in-Chief of the International Department of Economic News: Recently, two US Navy cruisers sailed through the Taiwan Province Strait. China said that it is on high alert and ready to thwart any provocation. How do you understand China’s position?

Ambassador Sun: The US warships sailed across the Taiwan Province Strait and made public hype, which once again showed that the US side was creating tension. China People’s Liberation Army (PLA) followed the prison guard throughout the passage of American ships, and all the movements were under control.

No: However, the US side said that the move was in response to the growing threat to China in the region.

Ambassador Sun: It is legitimate and lawful for China to take measures to safeguard its sovereign security interests. Since the beginning of this year, American warships have crossed the Taiwan Province Strait once a month on average. The U.S. military’s high-frequency approach to China is provocative and deliberately undermines regional peace and stability. China resolutely defends sovereignty and territorial integrity. The key issue now is not how to treat China’s reaction, but that the international community needs to recognize that the United States is a troublemaker for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

No: A few days ago, Taiwan Province fired a warning shot at Chinese drones. "Leader of Taiwan Province" Tsai Ing-wen said that "necessary and strong countermeasures will be taken" to cope with China’s recent military exercises around the island. Does China intend to ease the situation in this region?

Ambassador Sun: First of all, I want to correct your mistake. Taiwan Province is a part of China, not a sovereign country, and Tsai Ing-Wen is not a "president".

Regarding your question, we should note that it is the US and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces that aggravate the tension in the Taiwan Strait. China’s actions to defend its sovereign security interests are legitimate and lawful. We strive for peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts, but we do not promise to give up the use of force.

No: Can these expressions be understood as military threats?

Ambassador Sun: Taiwan Province has been a part of China since ancient times, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China. As early as the 12th century, China’s central governments set up administrative jurisdictions in Taiwan Province. In 1895, the Japanese occupied Taiwan Province and the Penghu Islands through a war of aggression. After World War II, according to the Cairo Declaration and the palaces and parks of potsdam and berlin Proclamation and other documents with international legal effect, China regained Taiwan Province in law and fact. In 1949, People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established, replacing the regime of the Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. Since Taiwan Province is a part of China, China conducts military exercises in the Taiwan Province Strait and around Taiwan, which are China waters. It is China’s legitimate right to conduct military exercises in relevant areas.

No: But that was more than 70 years ago. Now Taiwan Province wants to decide her future.

Ambassador Sun: People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established and replaced the regime of the Republic of China as the sole legal government in China. This is a regime change without changing China as the subject of international law. China’s sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries have not changed. It is natural that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government fully enjoys and exercises China’s sovereignty, including its sovereignty over Taiwan Province.

The long-term political opposition between the two sides of the Taiwan Province Strait is caused by the continuation of China’s civil war and the interference of external forces, and it is a trauma left by history to China. But different systems are not obstacles to reunification, let alone excuses for division.

No: The Biden administration of the United States plans to formally ask Congress to approve arms sales to Taiwan estimated at $1.1 billion, including 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles. According to the US, this is a necessary measure to defend Taiwan Province from China’s "aggression". What do you think?

Ambassador Sun: The United States sells weapons to Taiwan Province, interferes in China’s internal affairs, harms China’s sovereignty and security interests, violates the basic norms of international law and international relations, and even violates the one-China principle and Three Joint Communiqués’s "August 17" communique. The United States should abide by its commitment to China, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and Three Joint Communiqués regulations, and stop arms sales to Taiwan and military ties between the United States and Taiwan, so as not to further damage Sino-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Province has many allies in the western democratic world, including the United States. Will China solve the Taiwan Province issue alone, or will it seek support and military cooperation from Russia and other countries?

Ambassador Sun: "Taiwan Province has many allies" is an unrealistic and illogical fantasy. There is only one China in the world, Taiwan Province is a part of China, and People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal representative of all China. The overwhelming majority of countries in the international community support and accept the one-China principle. On the basis of the one-China principle, China has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries all over the world, including the United States.

No: Maybe that’s true, but the reality is different. For example, Pelosi and other US congressmen have recently visited Taiwan one after another.

Ambassador Sun: After Pelosi fled to Taiwan, more than 170 countries and international organizations around the world have expressed their strong support for adhering to the one-China principle. The population of these countries accounts for 80% of the global population. Both the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Secretariat have expressed their adherence to the one-China principle. Justice is in people’s hearts.

No: Recently, several Slovak parliamentarians also visited Taiwan. Will the words and deeds of individual Sri Lankan parliamentarians supporting the Taiwan Province authorities have a negative impact on bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China?

Ambassador Sun: The one-China principle is the political basis for China and Sri Lanka to establish diplomatic relations and develop friendly cooperation, and it is also a commitment made by the Sri Lankan government to China on behalf of the country. In 2003, in the Joint Statement between People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Slovak Republic, Sri Lanka clearly reiterated that there is only one China in the world, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government is the sole legal government representing China, and Taiwan Province is an inalienable part of China. China will continue to adhere to the one-principle, and will not establish any form of official relations or conduct any form of official exchanges with Taiwan Province. Slovakia will only maintain private sector-led trade and economic relations with Taiwan Province.

No: But in fact, there are some contacts between Taiwan and Taiwan, such as contacts at the parliamentary level.

Ambassador Sun: China appreciates the Sri Lankan government’s long-term adherence to the one-China policy. A spokesman for the China Embassy has made many remarks on the wrong remarks made by some politicians on Taiwan-related issues, expressing China’s solemn opposition.

I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that Slovakia was one of the first countries to recognize People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the people of China and Sri Lanka are the beneficiaries of the development of Sino-Sri Lankan relations and pragmatic cooperation. Any words and deeds that violate the one-China principle, provoke or damage the development of Sino-Sri Lankan relations will harm the interests of the two peoples, and also violate the historical trend and Sri Lanka’s commitment to China, and will not succeed.

No: Why is the one-China principle so important?

Ambassador Sun: The one-China principle constitutes a part of the post-World War II international order and has become a broad consensus of the international community. The United Nations addresses Taiwan Province as "Taiwan Province, the province of China". The Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the United States issued in December 1978 stated that "the United States government recognizes China’s position that there is only one China and Taiwan Province is a part of China" and "the United States recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government as the sole legal government of China. Within this scope, the American people will maintain cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan Province. ".

No: US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August caused a strong reaction from China. Where is she wrong? Is it really necessary to respond through an unprecedented military exercise around the island?

Ambassador Sun: There is only one China in the world, Taiwan Province is an inalienable part of China, and the government of People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. In October 1971, the 26th United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 2758, which decided: "Restore all rights of People’s Republic of China (PRC), recognize the representative of her government as the sole legitimate representative of China in the United Nations organization, and immediately expel the representative of Chiang Kai-shek from the illegally occupied seat in the United Nations organization and all its affiliated institutions." Pelosi declared that it was an official visit, met with the so-called "Leader of Taiwan Province" and openly referred to Taiwan as a "country". These acts seriously violated the one-China principle and the US’s own commitments, seriously violated China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and seriously undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

No: It is true that the United Nations has not recognized Taiwan Province as an independent country.

Ambassador Sun: Of course not. The official legal opinion of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat clearly points out that "Taiwan Province, as a province of China, has no independent status" and "Taiwan Province authorities do not enjoy any form of government status". In practice, the United Nations addressed Taiwan Province as "Taiwan Province, the province of China".

No: China has said that the United States will "pay the price" for Pelosi’s visit. How to understand this?

Ambassador Sun: China has repeatedly indicated to the US the solemn position of China’s firm and strong opposition to Pelosi’s visit. However, despite China’s strong opposition and solemn representations, Pei insisted on visiting Taiwan, China and sent a serious wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. The United States and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces have been maliciously provoked first, and China must take countermeasures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Nuo: Apart from military exercises, what other countermeasures has China taken?

Ambassador Sun: China has issued eight countermeasures against Pelosi’s channeling to Taiwan, as well as sanctions against Pelosi and her immediate family. With regard to countermeasures, China will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity against the interference of external forces and a handful of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities.

No: How do the people of China evaluate Pelosi’s visit to?

Ambassador Sun: The people of China express their strong dissatisfaction and indignation. Many netizens in China said on social media that if American leaders fly to Catalonia or Scotland by military plane without permission and express their support for the independence of these two regions on behalf of the US government, how would the central governments and people in Spain and Britain comment? China firmly upholds the one-China principle and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and it is also upholding the basic norms of international law and international relations, especially the principle of non-interference in internal affairs stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations.

No: During the exercise, China fired ballistic missiles into the waters near Taiwan Province, and some of them fell into "Japanese waters". What is the reason for China’s move? Is it an expected plan or a coincidence?

Ambassador Sun: China’s army is conducting military training activities in the waters near Taiwan, China Island, and relevant departments have issued safety reminders and navigation warnings in advance. China and Japan have not yet demarcated the relevant sea areas, and there is no such thing as "Japanese waters" or "Japan’s exclusive economic zone" reported by other media.

No: The Japanese side obviously has different views and protested to the Chinese side. What is the main goal of the Chinese exercise?

Ambassador Sun: China’s military exercises in the Taiwan Province Strait and around Taiwan are a solemn shock to the provocation of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external forces, and also a just and necessary move to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The exercises are open, transparent and professional, in line with domestic laws, international laws and international practices. These areas are China waters, and it is China’s legitimate right to conduct training in relevant areas.

No: So, when Taiwan Province rejects China’s "territorial claim" and Chinese missiles fall into the sea claimed by Japan, should Japan, South Korea and Taiwan Province feel threatened?

Ambassador Sun: First, Taiwan Province is a part of China, not a sovereign country. If Taiwan Province is classified with Japan and South Korea, I’m afraid Japan and South Korea will have a problem. Both Japan and South Korea are important neighbors of China. China actively develops friendly relations with neighboring countries and maintains regional peace and stability.

Second, the current tension is not caused by China or the central government, but by the United States and "Taiwan independence" elements. The United States continues to distort, tamper with, blur and hollow out the one-China principle, concoct the "Taiwan Relations Act" and "Six Guarantees for Taiwan", and delete key expressions such as "Taiwan Province is a part of China" on the US State Department website; Contrary to the promise in the August 17th Communiqué that it will not pursue a long-term policy of selling weapons to Taiwan Province, the performance and quantity of weapons it sells to Taiwan Province will not exceed the level supplied in recent years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and it is prepared to gradually reduce its arms sales to Taiwan Province, which will lead to a final solution after a period of time, it has continuously improved the scale and performance of arms sales to Taiwan over the past 43 years, and its arms sales to Taiwan have reached 70 billion US dollars. In front of Peichuang, American warships and military planes wandered in China’s South China Sea, East China Sea and Taiwan Province Strait almost every day. Therefore, the tension has long existed, and Pei’s visit has greatly aggravated the tension. In order to avoid this crisis imposed on China, China has made the utmost diplomatic efforts. What the international community really needs to worry about is the danger of escalating tensions brought about by the irresponsible adventures and provocations of the United States. If countries in the region are worried about being threatened, they should be accountable to the United States, Taiwan authorities and "Taiwan independence" elements.

No: What is China’s idea of the final solution to the Taiwan Province issue?

Ambassador Sun: "Peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is our basic policy for solving the Taiwan Province issue, and "one country, two systems" is a peaceful, democratic, goodwill and win-win solution. Unfortunately, since the concept of "one country, two systems" was put forward, the political forces split by Taiwan Province have spared no effort to spread rumors and discredit, misinterpreting and misleading some Taiwan Province compatriots. If China doesn’t take countermeasures, then some external forces and "Taiwan independence" elements will lead Taiwan Province to the wrong direction of supporting "Taiwan independence" more, so we must do something to stop this trend.

Taiwan Province is an island with a population of 23 million, while Chinese mainland has a population of 1.4 billion. If we really want to solve the Taiwan Province issue by force, it will be a huge and disproportionate …

Ambassador Sun: Compatriots on both sides of the strait are a family, and the last thing we want is to see flesh and blood eating each other. Therefore, we are striving for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts. I believe that with the passage of time, "one country, two systems" will be re-recognized by Taiwan Province compatriots. However, in order to curb the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and prevent external forces from interfering, we also do not promise to give up achieving reunification by non-peaceful means.

No: You have repeatedly mentioned peace and stability, but you have not ruled out the use of force against Taiwan. Is China prepared to negotiate with the Taiwan Province authorities to find a solution to the reunification issue?

Ambassador Sun: Peaceful reunification means equal consultation and common discussion. China has clearly expressed its policy stance in the white paper "The Taiwan Province Question and China’s Reunification in the New Era" released not long ago. On the basis of the One-China principle and the "1992 Consensus", we are willing to conduct dialogue and communication with various parties, groups and people in Taiwan Province to resolve cross-strait political differences and exchange views extensively. We are also willing to continue to promote democratic consultations among representatives elected by political parties and people from all walks of life on both sides of the strait to discuss the major plan of promoting the peaceful development and integrated development of cross-strait relations and the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

No: It seems that Taiwan Province is not interested in the prospect of reunification and wants to keep its democratic way of life.

Ambassador Sun: We should realize that splitting Taiwan independence will only push Taiwan Province into the abyss of disaster and bring profound harm to Taiwan Province compatriots. We are willing to create a vast space for peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any space for various forms of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities’ act of seeking "independence" endangers peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, destroys the prospect of peaceful reunification and squeezes the space for peaceful reunification, which is an obstacle that must be removed in the process of striving for peaceful reunification.

No: You mentioned earlier comparing the Taiwan Province issue with Scotland in Britain and Catalonia in Spain. Britain allows Scottish independence referendum. Will China allow Taiwan Province to hold a referendum and respect the result?

Ambassador Sun: The Taiwan Province issue is an internal affair of China, and external forces have no right to interfere. Similarly, the Scottish referendum is an internal affair of Britain, and I will not comment on it. But I must emphasize that Taiwan Province is the Taiwan Province of all China people, and all China people refer to the 1.4 billion China people, including 23 million Taiwan Province compatriots. China’s Anti-Secession Law clearly points out: "In any name and in any way, the’ Taiwan independence’ separatist forces cause Taiwan Province to secede from China, or a major incident that will lead to Taiwan Province’s secession from China occurs, or the possibility of peaceful reunification is completely lost. The state has to take non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

China advocates "one country, two systems" in Taiwan Province, which is similar to the policy implemented in Hong Kong, but only "pro-Beijing candidates" in Hong Kong can participate in local elections. Will the same policy be implemented in Taiwan Province after reunification?

Ambassador Sun: The concept of "one country, two systems" was first put forward to solve the Taiwan Province issue. "One country" is the premise and foundation of "two systems". If national sovereignty, security and development interests are harmed, there will be no long-term prosperity and stability. We will stick to the principle of "one country, two systems", but we will never give in on the bottom line of principle.

No: Will the policies implemented after the reunification of Taiwan Province be the same as those of Hong Kong?

Ambassador Sun: "Patriots ruling Hong Kong" cannot be equated with "only pro-Beijing candidates are allowed to stand for election" simply and rudely. Politicians in any country must first be loyal to their motherland, safeguard their own constitution, safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and oppose foreign interference in their internal affairs. This is a universal political ethics. No country or region will allow unpatriotic or even traitorous forces and figures to come to power. With regard to the concrete realization form of "one country, two systems" in Taiwan Province, we will fully absorb the opinions and suggestions from both sides of the strait and fully take care of the interests and feelings of Taiwan Province compatriots.

No: Besides Taiwan Province, does China have any other territorial claims in this region? It seems that some neighboring countries think that their sovereignty is threatened by China …

Ambassador Sun: Border demarcation is a matter between China and relevant countries, while Taiwan Province is China’s inherent territory and the Taiwan Province issue is China’s internal affair. These two things are different in nature.

China has the longest border and the largest number of neighboring countries in the world. Building a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border is not only the objective need of the development of all countries, but also the common aspiration of countries in the region. China has completed demarcation and demarcation with 12 of the 14 land neighbors through peaceful negotiations, and is also committed to promoting consultations with ASEAN countries on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China has always adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace and a defensive national defense policy. China defends national sovereignty, security and development interests, and is also a staunch force for maintaining world peace and stability and serving to build a community of human destiny.

No: Can you rule out the risk of a major global conflict? For example, can the risk of using nuclear weapons be ruled out?

Ambassador Sun: As for how to eliminate the risks of global large-scale conflicts and the use of nuclear weapons, instead of worrying about the worst possibility, we should take action to build a better future.

Not long ago, Chairman of the Supreme LeaderA global security initiative was put forward, which provided a Chinese plan to make up for the peace deficit of mankind and meet the international security challenges. The initiative advocates adhering to the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept; Insist on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; Adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; Adhere to the legitimate security concerns of all countries; Insist on resolving differences and disputes between countries by peaceful means through dialogue and consultation; Adhere to the overall planning and maintenance of security in traditional and non-traditional fields. This initiative is in response to the topic of the times "What kind of security concept does the world need and how countries can achieve common security".

No: Is China willing to work with other countries to implement this initiative?

Ambassador Sun: Of course. China is willing to join hands with all peace-loving and development-oriented countries and people in the world to implement global security initiatives, take the road towards lasting peace and universal security, and build a community of human destiny.