The Dutch House of Representatives passed a resolution on Thursday, September 12, acknowledging that China does not have administrative power over Taiwan. The resolution was proposed by Jan Paternotte, an MP of the liberal Democrats 66 party. It states that UN Resolution 2758 does not govern Taiwan’s representation in international bodies. The resolution also recognises that China is blocking Taiwan’s participation in the UN, which goes against the interests of the Netherlands.
“China’s attempt to isolate 24 million Taiwanese citizens by distorting UN Resolution 2758 must be stopped. The Dutch Parliament has just adopted our resolution calling for Taiwan’s participation in UN organisations and for an EU-wide effort to support Taiwan’s representation,” Jan Paternotte posted on X today.
The proposal was signed by lawmakers of 13 out of the 15 political parties of the Dutch parliament, representing a broad political spectrum. The motion calls on the Dutch representatives at this year’s UN General Assembly (September 22-24) to promote Taiwan’s future participation in the UN and affiliated international bodies such as the ICAO and WHO. Similarly, the measure also encourages Dutch officials to lobby other members of the European Union to promote and support Taiwan’s active participation in the UN and other international organisations.
The resolution’s language states that Taiwan’s representation at the UN will not conflict with the Netherlands’ “one-China policy.” While making no explicit declaration of the Netherlands’ relationship with Taiwan, the resolution notes that other nations, including France and Australia, have decided not to follow China’s interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 regarding Taiwan’s international status. UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, passed in 1971, admitted the People’s Republic of China to the UN. Resolution 2758 does not include any statements on China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Despite this, China consistently distorts the language of UN Resolution 2578 to bolster expansionist claims over Taiwan.
The motion was passed by an overwhelming majority of 147 votes in favour and only three votes in opposition. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere respect and gratitude to Dutch lawmakers for the motion and called the resolution a measure of “great significance.”
The motion Paternotte:
“The House, having heard the deliberation, noting that UN Resolution 2758 of 1971 addresses the status of the People’s Republic of China, but does not rule the People’s Republic of China enjoys sovereignty over Taiwan, nor does it makes any judgement on the future participation of Taiwan in the United Nations or other international organisation;
noting that this resolution is being used by the People’s Republic of China to block Taiwan’s representation;
considering that the Netherlands also has an interest in Taiwan’s representation in organisations such as ICAO and the WHO;
considering that allowing such representation of Taiwan need not be an obstacle to the Netherlands’ one-China-policy;
considering that, among others, France and Australia have decided not to follow the new interpretation used by the People’s Republic of China; requests the government to recognise that UN Resolution 2758 does not make any judgement on Taiwan’s future participation in the UN or other international organisations, to actively promote this during the General Assembly of the United Nations, and to advocate for this representation in the aforementioned UN organisations;
requests the government to seek support for this approach within the EU”.
