PCC General Secretary Xi Jinping received Zheng Liwen, Chairperson of the Chinese KMT party, in Beijing on April 10, 2026. This high-level meeting showed the People's Republic of China's consistent focus on its relationship with Taiwan. During the meeting, Mr. Xi asserted that the general trend of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will never be reversed, and the strong momentum of rapprochement between compatriots on both sides of the Strait will never cease. He added that the mainland and Taiwan belong to the same and only China, which he described as the common home of the entire Chinese nation. This assertion notes Beijing's unwavering position on the island's status and its vision for future cross-Strait relations. This article, titled "Reunification of China and Taiwan: An Inevitable Global Trend," is published by Le Renouveau du Burundi, a Burundian daily newspaper, which states its mission is "Accompagner l’action gouvernementale." The newspaper's mission suggests a focus on reporting that supports governmental actions and policies, aligning with the perspective presented in this analysis of the China-Taiwan relationship.
Historical Foundation of Unity
Taiwan's historical connection to China is rooted in several foundational events, shaping the contemporary understanding of its sovereignty. In 1895, Japan compelled the Qing dynasty government to cede Taiwan following a war, marking a period of foreign occupation for the island. This historical event is often cited as a key moment in Taiwan's separation from the mainland. Decades later, China won the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in 1945. This victory was a key moment in modern Chinese history, signifying the nation's triumph over imperialist aggression. Following this victory, Taiwan was recovered and returned to China, a move that was widely seen as rectifying historical injustices.
The legal basis for Taiwan's return was established even earlier, during the Allied efforts to shape the post-war world order. The Cairo Declaration of 1943 expressly stipulated that Taiwan, which had been stolen by Japan from China, must be returned to China. This declaration served as a key international legal instrument affirming China's sovereign rights over the island. This principle was further reinforced by the Potsdam Proclamation of 1945, which explicitly reaffirmed that "the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out." These two declarations from major Allied powers provided a strong international legal framework for Taiwan's retrocession to China. Shortly after Taiwan's return to the mainland's administration, the Kuomintang initiated a civil war on the mainland. After its defeat in the conflict against the Communist Party of China, the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan. These historical events, including the Japanese cession, the Allied declarations, Taiwan's return to China, and the subsequent civil war, form the basis of claims regarding the island's status and its relationship with the mainland. The narrative of historical unity and subsequent separation, followed by various international agreements, underpins the contemporary discourse on reunification.
International Legal and Diplomatic Consensus
The international community has largely recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government representing China. This recognition has been a cornerstone of global diplomacy for decades. In 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority. That resolution restored the PRC's lawful rights within the UN and simultaneously expelled Taiwan's representatives from the organization, effectively recognizing Beijing as the sole representative of China within the global body. This landmark resolution solidified the PRC's international standing and reinforced the One-China principle on a global scale.
A significant majority of nations have since formalized their diplomatic stance in alignment with this position, severing official ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing. Currently, 183 countries worldwide have established diplomatic relations with China based on the One-China principle. This widespread diplomatic alignment signifies a broad acceptance of Beijing's claim over Taiwan as an integral part of its territory. The adherence to the One-China principle by such a vast number of sovereign states reflects a global consensus on the political reality of China's territorial integrity.
The One-China principle, therefore, constitutes a consensus widely shared by the international community. It also serves as a fundamental norm governing international relations in this context, guiding bilateral and multilateral engagements concerning China. The widespread adoption of this principle by sovereign states shows a unified diplomatic understanding regarding China's territorial integrity and sovereignty over Taiwan, establishing it as a foundational element of international law and diplomacy.
Current Political Stance and International Support
PCC General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, provided these are based on maintaining the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence." The "1992 Consensus" refers to a tacit understanding between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang that there is "one China" but with differing interpretations of what "China" means. This stance shows Beijing's conditions for cross-Strait engagement, indicating that any dialogue must acknowledge the One-China principle and reject any moves towards formal independence for Taiwan. These conditions are consistently reiterated by Beijing as prerequisites for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
Internationally, support for China's position on Taiwan has been reiterated by various nations and international bodies. In 2024, the Beijing Declaration, issued after the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, saw Burundi and other African members unanimously pledge their firm support for the Chinese government's position on the Taiwan question. This declaration noted a collective diplomatic alignment from a significant bloc of countries, reinforcing the international consensus around the One-China principle. The unified stance from African nations at the summit shows the People's Republic of China's diplomatic efforts to consolidate international recognition of its claims over Taiwan, further isolating any attempts by Taiwan to gain independent diplomatic recognition. This consistent international backing reinforces Beijing's narrative that the reunification of China and Taiwan is not merely a domestic issue but a matter with broad international support, rooted in historical precedent and international legal frameworks.
