…caution against engaging Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos
By Gloria Ikibah
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has strongly reaffirmed China’s long-standing stance on the Taiwan issue, urging media professionals and the general public in Nigeria to continue supporting the One-China Principle as a matter of international law and diplomatic integrity.
Speaking during an interactive session, Ambassador Yu offered a detailed historical context behind the Taiwan question, tracing it back to the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki when Taiwan was ceded to Japan after China’s defeat.
He emphasised that Taiwan was returned to China in 1945 following Japan’s defeat in World War II, citing two major international treaties.
He said: “Which is not an equal agreement because China was defeated. So, according to the agreement, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895. So that’s why, if you go to Taiwan, many people speak Chinese, even nowadays.
“Taiwan was returned to China in 1945, after the Second World War, because Japan was defeated. There are two international treaties. The first one is the Post-Taiwan Declaration. The second one is the Post-Taiwan Proclamation. According to those two international declarations, Japan should, under no condition, return Taiwan, and its adjacent islands, including Penghu and Jinmen and other islands, back to China. So it’s specified in international laws”.
The Chinese envoy also referenced the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognised the People’s Republic of China as the only legal representative of China in the UN.
Yu praised Nigeria for its consistent and clear support of the One-China Principle.
“The UNGA took the Resolution 2758, which got the support of African countries, and that restored China’s seat in the UN, and expelled the Kuomintang from the UN, Taiwan from the UN. And recognized that Taiwan is part of China.
“For Nigeria, Nigeria has followed, has abided by the One-China Principle very strictly. There is no ambiguity, no other room, there is no other interpretation. So we appreciate that,” he added.
He further noted the joint statement issued by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President, Xi Jinping, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for China’s reunification efforts.
“When it comes to the Taiwan issue, you know, he said that Nigeria recognizes Taiwan, there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is part of China. The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative of China. And it also adds that the Nigerian government opposes any form of Taiwan independence. And the Nigerian government supports all the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve its reunification.”
He stressed that the Taiwan issue is
“the core interest of China” and called for caution in how the issue is handled by Nigerian media and institutions.
“It’s a red line. I would ask all of you, number one, you know, to follow this One-China Principle, as the government has done. That means that you will be very careful when it comes to the Taiwan issue. For instance, how do you use the name? You will see that Taiwan-China, or Taiwan-Province-China, or Taiwan-Region. It’s all fine. But not, you know, see Taiwan as a country.”
Ambassador Yu also warned against engaging with Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos.
“Because there is still a trade representative office in Lagos, which was actually moved out from Abuja to Lagos. But still, the representative there is trying to make troubles. From time to time, you know, he tried to advocate the separation of Taiwan and Taiwan independence. So that’s why I would ask all of you to be very careful not to engage in any, how to say, activity with the government. Because he will try to use particular media as a platform to expand his, you know, ideas”, he warned.
This statement from the Chinese envoy comes as Nigeria and China continue to deepen bilateral ties under the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
