The foreign ministry has reiterated that the Republic of China holds sovereignty over Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. The Republic of China is Taiwan’s official name, and should not be confused with the People’s Republic of China.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Kao issued a statement Thursday, following remarks made by China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations on June 9. The Chinese envoy told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that China has the right to take Taiwan and Penghu by any means necessary. The envoy said that both areas belong to China.
In response, Kao said that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu were all returned to the Republic of China on October 25, 1945 following the end of World War II.
Kao said that China has tried to assert sovereignty over these territories since a statement made on September 4, 1958. However, Kao said that Chinese claims are divorced from reality. Kao also said that Chinese claims to Taiwanese territory have no substance whatsoever and do not affect the fact of Taiwan’s sovereignty.