Announcement on Normalized Relations with the Republic of China
I am pleased to formally announce the opening of full diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. It is a privilege to inaugurate the opening of fully normalized relations with President Tsai Ing-wen. We are honored to have the opportunity to share in this momentous occasion with the Taiwanese people.
On January 1st, 1979, the Republic of Atlasia normalized relations with the People’s Republic of China. One of the preconditions to this agreement was severance of all diplomatic ties with the Republic of China. I want to make it clear that the Republic still stands by the normalization of relations with the PRC and will continue to support positive bilateral agreements with the PRC wherever possible. There are many areas where cooperation can be found between our two nations, and this Administration hopes to expand on those arrangements where agreement can be found.
However, we can no longer accept diplomatic preconditions that preclude the right of national self determination to the Taiwanese people. Recent diplomatic events around the world have threatened to deny these rights to various national groups, and the Republic will not allow these actions to go without protest. We respect the right of the people of Taiwan to freely and peacefully decide their national destiny. We cannot accept any policy that threatens to undermine the inalienable rights of any people to determine their national identity.
That being said, we welcome democratic efforts to improve bilateral relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China. If both nations decide, democratically and freely, to form political and economic unions, then the Republic shall welcome those agreements. However, we will not tolerate any attempts or interventions designed to undermine democratic principles, national sovereignty, or human rights.
Cooperation and respect must guide any multilateral arrangement going forward. We hope that national reconciliation between these two states may one day be possible. In the meantime, the Republic shall fully support peaceful and fruitful relations with the Republic of China.
