World political figures back one-China policy

Senior political figures worldwide have voiced support for the widely accepted one-China principle after the policy was challenged by US president-elect Donald Trump.

It has been globally acknowledged that the one-China policy, the cornerstone of China’ s diplomacy, should not be changed, since it is fundamental to regional peace and stability, experts said.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Wednesday that Australia upholds the principle, and the country’s stance on the Taiwan question is unchanged.

“Australia’s position is as it has been since 1972, and that is, we recognize the one-China policy, and it has been important for peace (and) stability in our region for countries to continue to be consistent in this regard,” she said during an interview with Sky News Australia.

She declined to comment on Trump’s remarks challenging the one-China policy, saying that “it would be much more productive if we wait until he (Trump) is inaugurated”.

Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state, said on Wednesday that he expected that Trump would honor the one-China policy once the president-elect studies the framework more closely.

“It’s not the best way to make Taiwan the key issue at the beginning of this dialogue. It might not be the most efficient way,” he said during a panel discussion on “US-China Relations in the Trump-Xi Era” in New York.

“Every president of the United States since 1971 from both parties has accepted this framework,” said Kissinger.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that her country, Europe’s biggest economic power, won’t be changing its one-China policy.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc A yr au lt told France 2 TV that Trump’s approach to China was “not very clever”.

US Senator John McCain told Reuters on Monday that he does not “respond to every comment by the presidentelect because it may be reversed the next day”.

Fan Jishe, a researcher of US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that if Trump’s “reckless” remarks on the Taiwan question are an indication of his foreign policy, China will no longer show restraint and will react much more strongly.

Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said international support for China serves as a powerful reminder to Trump that he is challenging the international consensus. “Trump is still a political infant,” he said, adding that Trump and his advisers should understand that the one-China policy is key to regional peace and stability.

It’s not the best way to make Taiwan the key issue at the beginning of this dialogue.” Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state