China dismisses claims distorting its position on Taiwan question

(ECNS) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed claims circulating in Japan that it’s the Republic of China (ROC) rather than the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who accepted Japan’s surrender, so the PRC is not in a position to discuss the Taiwan question.

Mao said at a regular press conference on Tuesday that the ones who make such claims either do not know the history or deliberately seek to distort it and disregard international law. 

The spokesperson stressed that in 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly undertook to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith and unconditionally return Taiwan to China. China resumed exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan and recovered Taiwan both in law and in practice. In 1949, the PRC government replaced the ROC government. This is a change of government in which China, as a subject under international law, did not change and China’s sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries stayed unchanged.

“Thus, the government of the People’s Republic of China naturally and fully enjoys and exercises China’s sovereignty, including sovereignty over the Taiwan region. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement states that the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China,” she said.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. This is an ironclad fact and shall not be bent or distorted.