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Taiwan's Fight for International Recognition

posted by Anna-Maria Müller at 7h39 GMT on Sep 19
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Less than one year before the Olympic Games are held in China, the ruling Communist Party faces a growing movement for political change. Taiwan has applied for a seat in the UN. However, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced it is impossible to accept a membership application from Taipei.

Since 1971 the Republic of China is recognized as the only legitimate representative for Chinese territory by the UN’s General Assembly. After losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China in 1949, Beijing claims Taiwan as a province of China.

Since China is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations
Security Council it has a veto right over such issues and could prevent
the recognition of Taiwan. Despite this fact, China also argues, that
an international recognition would be the first step towards secession
of the province. Therefore China threatens Taiwan to use military
forces, if the island sticks to its plea for a membership in the United
Nations.

In the meantime Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced it is
impossible for his office to accept a membership application from
Taipei. While the UN membership enjoys vast support in the Taiwanese
population, Taiwan’s president Chen Shui-bian will hold a referendum on
the UN membership next year.

Read more about the background and China's reaction in the International Herald Tribune and on BBC News online. Consult the Wikipedia for more information about China's and Taiwan's UN membership.

Find out about the reaction of the United Nations officals in Al Jazeera's articles "Taiwan's UN bid 'impossible'" and "UN: Taiwan membership not possible".

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