China is intensifying its rhetoric: Taiwan belonged to China, belongs to China, and will belong to China! This new interpretation of history and harsh words directed at Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te have stirred up tensions on both sides of the strait – Beijing warns of an "inevitable reunification."

In light of the controversial statements made by Taiwanese President Lai, who, according to Chinese officials, "distorts history and promotes separatism," China is sending a clear message: **sovereignty over Taiwan is a historical and legal fact.**

Beijing argues based on a thousand years of administrative presence in the region – from the Song and Ming dynasties to the official establishment of the province of Taiwan under Emperor Guangxu in 1885. After Japanese occupation (1895-1945), the island was returned to China, a fact confirmed by international agreements such as the **Cairo Declaration** and the **Potsdam Agreement.**

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government in Beijing became the sole legitimate representative of all of China – including Taiwan. This position was also endorsed by **UN Resolution 2758 of 1971**, which ruled out the possibility of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan, reiterated: **"Taiwan is not a state – it never was and never will be."** He added that any attempts at independence are doomed to fail, and that the reunification of China is only a matter of time.

CMG