AP News, July 24th, 2007
The United Nations rejected Taiwan's application to become a member of the world body Monday, citing U.N. adherence to the "one China" policy and its recognition of the Chinese government in Beijing.
The application was returned by the U.N. Office of Legal Affairs, according to the U.N.'s Chinese-language Web site.
In announcing its rejection, the United Nations cited a 1971 resolution that recognizes the People's Republic of China as the lawful representative to the world body.
Taiwan was expelled from the U.N. in 1971 when its seat _ which it held under the name Republic of China _ was transferred to the Beijing-based government of the People's Republic of China.
Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, and since then have been governed separately.
"This resolution determined that the U.N. carries out a 'one China' policy," the U.N. said, reference to its acceptance that Taiwan and China belong to the same national entity.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesman David Wang deplored the U.N.'s decision.
"We regret that the U.N. stalled the Taiwan application ... for political reasons," he said. "The 1971 resolution should be reviewed, as it fails to address the question of the right of representation and participation by the Taiwanese people."
The self-ruled island applied on July 19 to join the United Nations as Taiwan _ a departure from 14 previous post-1971 applications to become a member as the Republic of China.
The bid reflected the policies of President Chen Shui-bian, who favors making the island's de facto independence permanent.
It was roundly condemned by China, and also opposed by the United States, which saw it as an effort to change the fragile status quo that has governed relations among the three since Washington transferred its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
The U.S. also accepts the "one China" policy, without explicitly accepting China's claim that Taiwan is part of its territory.
