On October 24th, 2025, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress adopted the decision to establish the Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration, designating October 25th as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration by legislative means, and stipulated that the state will hold commemorative activities in various forms on this day.
80 years ago, all Chinese, including compatriots in Taiwan, achieved the great victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which brought about Taiwan’s restoration to the motherland. The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance and a compelling proof of the Chinese government’s recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan. It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China. Today, there are 151 roads and many more buildings and institutions that are named “restoration” in Taiwan. These historical marks are a proof that the restoration of Taiwan to China has long been a shared glory and national memory for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
As a decision made by General Secretary Xi Jinping in person and underwent strict legislative procedures in the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, establishing the commemoration day on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration fully reflects the aspiration of the people and the determination of the nation. It also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of all Chinese people to uphold the one-China principle and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reflects the shared urge of domestic and overseas Chinese sons and daughters, including Taiwan compatriots. It also reflects the Communist Party of China’s steadfast resolve to fulfill its historical mission and achieve complete reunification of China, and has further strengthened the international consensus that there is only one China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of that one China.
80 years ago, all Chinese, including compatriots in Taiwan, achieved the great victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which brought about Taiwan’s restoration to the motherland.
The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and an integral part of the norm of international relations. There are solid historical evidences and legal ground for commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Taiwan’s Restoration to China and firmly upholding the one-China principle. In July 1894, Japan launched a war of aggression against China. In April 1895, the defeated Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. During the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), China’s Communists called for the recovery of Taiwan. Talking with American journalist Nym Wales on May 15th, 1937, Chairman Mao Zedong said that China’s goal was to achieve a final victory in the war – a victory that would recover the occupied Chinese territories in Northeast China and to the south of the Shanhai Pass, and secure the liberation of Taiwan.
On December 9th, 1941, the Chinese government issued a declaration of war against Japan, and proclaimed that all treaties, conventions, agreements, and contracts regarding relations between China and Japan had been abrogated, and that China would recover Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom on December 1st, 1943 stated that it was the purpose of the three allies that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China.
The Potsdam Proclamation was signed by China, the United States and the United Kingdom on July 26th, 1945, and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union. It reiterated: “The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” In September of the same year, Japan signed the instrument of surrender, in which it promised that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation. On October 25th the Chinese government announced that it was resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and the ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taibei (Taipei). From that point forward, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of documents with international legal effect.
On October 1st, 1949, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded, becoming the successor to the Republic of China (1912-1949), and the Central People’s Government became the only legitimate government of the whole of China. The new government replaced the previous KMT regime in a situation where China, as a subject under international law, did not change and China’s sovereignty and inherent territory did not change. As a natural result, the government of the PRC should enjoy and exercise China’s full sovereignty, which includes its sovereignty over Taiwan. As a result of the civil war in China in the late 1940s and the interference of external forces, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have fallen into a state of protracted political confrontation. But the sovereignty and territory of China have never been divided and will never be divided, and Taiwan’s status as part of China’s territory has never changed and will never be allowed to change.
In October 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with an overwhelming majority, adopted the draft resolution proposed by Pakistan and 22 other countries. The UNGA Resolution 2758, which decided to “restore all its lawful rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations”, and to “expel forthwith the representatives of Taiwan authority from the UN and all the organizations related to it”. This resolution settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN. It also explicitly spelled out that China has one single seat in the UN, so there is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. It can be concluded that the UNGA Resolution 2758 embodies in clear logic and solid jurisprudence the one-China principle that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
The adoption of the UNGA Resolution 2758 effectively made the one-China principle a basic norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community. To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. And for decades, the UN and its specialized agencies have consistently upheld that Taiwan is a province of China and handled Taiwan-related issues in strict accordance with the one-China principle.
Recently, certain forces, driven by geopolitical self-interest, have been distorting and challenging the UNGA Resolution 2758, spreading the fallacy that the resolution “did not address Taiwan’s legal status or clarify its sovereignty.” Such narratives are false fabrications aimed at undermining the legal foundation of the one-China principle. This is indulgence and support for “Taiwan independence” forces, flagrant interference in China’s internal affairs, a blatant challenge to the post-war international order, and a serious threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration constitutes an important measure to remember history and pay tribute to fallen heroes, a strong action to uphold the one-China principle and counter “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference, and a concrete step to firmly support patriots advocating national reunification. 80 years ago, China defeated the brutal Japanese aggressors and put Taiwan back under China’s sovereign jurisdiction. Today, a stronger China will never allow Taiwan to be seceded from its territory. Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future. We have the ability to thwart any “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. We have the strong will to deepen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. We have the confidence to advance the great cause of national reunification and promote the interests and well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan. We have the self-assurance to respond to any challenge and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
As China’s ironclad brother, Pakistan has always firmly upheld the UNGA Resolution 2758 and the one-China principle. In the Action plan to foster an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era (2025-2029) issued in September 2025, China and Pakistan again emphasized that the authority of the UNGA Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge. The Pakistani side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle. It is of the view that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China and the Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests. It firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification, and resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence.” China highly appreciates Pakistan’s stance and believes that the Pakistani government and its people will surely understand and support China’s decision to establish the Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration and commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China, and that Pakistan will continue to extend its firm, strong and valuable support to China on issues related to China’s core interests, including the Taiwan question.
The writer is Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.