Opinion | People’s Republic of China ‘never ruled Taiwan’? Put that fallacy to rest

While Taiwan’s authorities exercise de facto control, this does not grant the island independence nor change the fact it is part of China

Reading Time:4 minutes

Published: 9:30am, 30 Jul 2025

Last month, Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te embarked on the first of his “10 lectures on unity”, claiming Taiwan had never been a part of the People’s Republic of China – and that the People’s Republic of China government “never ruled Taiwan”. This plainly disregards the facts and is self-deceiving rhetoric.

Since 1949 – and especially since 1971 – the Chinese government has exercised sovereign power over Taiwan politically and militarily, directly and indirectly, affirmatively and negatively. As the sole legitimate Chinese government widely recognised by the international community, Beijing is consulted and its opinions are respected by the United Nations and all countries concerned when it comes to affairs involving Taiwan.

For a start, Taiwan’s authorities are denied sovereign participation in the United Nations and other international organisations. Their participation in organisations such as the World Trade Organization, International Olympic Committee, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and Asian Development Bank is permitted only with China’s consent and under appropriate formal designations, such as “Chinese Taipei” and the “separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu”. And its scope of participation is limited to non-political fields such as societal, economic and cultural.

This is a direct manifestation of China’s representative power over Taiwan and the one-China principle.

Second, China does not allow any country it has diplomatic relations with to develop official ties with Taiwan’s authorities. For these 183 countries, any dealings with Taiwan can only be of an unofficial, regional and civilian nature, in accordance with Beijing’s stance. Any act of interference with Taiwan, for instance by selling it weapons or forming any kind of military alliance with it, is firmly opposed.

Third, the Chinese government safeguards the safety, legitimate rights and interests of Taiwanese abroad. Notably, Chinese diplomatic missions provide equal protection to both mainlanders and Taiwanese.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}While Taiwan’s authorities exercise de facto control, this does not grant the island independence nor change the fact it is part of China

While Taiwan’s authorities exercise de facto control, this does not grant the island independence nor change the fact it is part of China