Taiwan Foreign Minister urges international support for UN participation in Dutch op-ed

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung submitted an op-ed to the Dutch publication *The Hague News* on the 22nd, calling on the international community to uphold a rules-based international order, confront China's deliberate misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, and support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system. Minister Lin pointed out in the letter that Taiwan, as a mature democratic society, has long contributed to the international community in areas such as public health, disaster relief, and information technology, and therefore deserves the same opportunities to be heard and to participate as other member states. The op-ed comes at a time when European nations are showing increasing concern over Asia-Pacific security and human rights issues, and Minister Lin hopes to spark broader international discussion and support through media coverage in the Netherlands.

Resolution 2758 was passed in 1971, officially recognizing the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China to the UN and expelling the Republic of China (i.e., Taiwan) from the organization. The text of the resolution merely states that it "recognizes the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations," and does not explicitly strip Taiwan of its right to participate in international organizations as an observer or expert. Since then, the Chinese government has repeatedly used the "one China" principle to obstruct Taiwan's participation in any form within the UN and its specialized agencies, while Taiwan continues to explain its contributions and needs to the international community through the concept of "substantive participation." Minister Lin's op-ed directly challenges China's interpretation and maneuvers within the UN framework, emphasizing that the international order should be based on rules rather than unilateral political considerations.

Since the 1990s, Taiwan has repeatedly applied to participate in institutions such as the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Atomic Energy Agency, all of which have been unsuccessful due to Chinese obstruction. In recent years, with the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan's achievements in epidemic prevention technology and supply chain management have gained international recognition, and some countries and regions have invited Taiwan to participate in related meetings as observers or specially invited experts. However, this limited participation remains constrained by China's diplomatic pressure, resulting in Taiwan appearing on most international platforms only in an "informal" or "non-member" capacity. Minister Lin emphasized in the letter that if the international community fails to base its actions on rules and allows unilateral interpretations to prevail, it will undermine the credibility and function of the UN as a global governance platform.

As a founding member of the European Union, the Netherlands has long maintained a relatively independent stance on multilateral diplomacy and human rights issues. In recent years, the Dutch government has repeatedly called for UN reforms to enhance transparency and inclusivity, and has expressed concern over China's influence in international organizations. Minister Lin chose Dutch media as a channel precisely because of its influence in shaping public opinion in Europe and globally. If Dutch media reports can prompt deeper internal discussions within the EU on the issue of Taiwan's participation in the UN, it may secure greater diplomatic space and support for Taiwan. This move also demonstrates a shift in Taiwan's diplomatic strategy from traditional bilateral relations toward leveraging international public issues and media platforms to amplify its voice and influence.

Minister Lin's op-ed is not only a diplomatic appeal, but also a response to current changes in the international order. If the international community can confront China's misinterpretation of Resolution 2758 within a framework of rules and allow Taiwan to participate in the UN in a substantive and meaningful manner, it will help enhance the diversity and effectiveness of global governance while sending a positive signal for stability in the Taiwan Strait. Conversely, if this call fails to receive a substantive response, Taiwan's participation in the international arena will remain restricted, which could further exacerbate cross-strait tensions. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to seek international support through diverse channels, hoping to secure equal opportunities for participation alongside other countries within a rules-based international order.