On the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan

B100132/2024

European Parliament resolution on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan

(2024/2891(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on EU-China relations,

– having regard to UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 25 October 1971 entitled ‘Restoration of the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations’,

– having regard to the three joint communiqués by the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), adopted in 1972, 1979 and 1982,

– having regard to the Taiwan Relations Act enacted by the US Congress on 10 April 1979,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 recognises the representatives of the Government of the PRC as ‘the only lawful representatives of China’;

B. whereas, after 50 years of consistent state practice, UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is widely considered to have acquired the character of customary international law;

C. whereas the EU lacks the legal authority to intervene in a territorial dispute in East Asia between two former parties to a civil war, and has no political interest in doing so;

D. whereas it is in the EU’s economic interest to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait, given the importance of the region for international trade and supply chains;

1. Calls on all actors, including the PRC, Taiwan and external parties, to refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait;

2. Underlines the need for calm and prudent actions to avoid further escalation; emphasises the importance of diplomatic dialogue between the conflicting parties to ensure a peaceful resolution of tensions in the Taiwan Strait;

3. Encourages all external actors, particularly those outside of East Asia, to avoid any provocative actions that may destabilise the situation; opposes any actions that may provoke political tensions, such as high-level visits by foreign political figures to the disputed areas;

4. Condemns all provocative military activities that threaten the status quo, including large-scale military exercises and military passages through disputed territories;

5. Stresses the EU’s limited capacity to provide military support or security commitments in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the need to focus on diplomatic and economic engagement;

6. Calls for a balanced approach to foreign policy that prioritises stability and the EU’s strategic interests over ideological considerations in an increasingly multipolar world;

7. Highlights the need to prevent any potential humanitarian crises that could arise from escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, emphasising the protection of civilian lives and regional stability;

8. Stresses the importance of maintaining the resilience of global supply chains, particularly in sectors such as semiconductor production, and the strategic significance of the Taiwan Strait for international trade;

9. Emphasises its respect for the principles of economic neutrality and connectivity;

10. Calls for cooperation with regional bodies, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in order to work alongside East Asian partners in promoting stability and ensuring that diplomatic efforts are coordinated effectively;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President of China and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.