World

EU Challenges China’s Taiwan Claims: How a UN Resolution Fuels the Dispute

EU: Resolution 2758 didn’t mention Taiwan, contradicting China‘s claim of sovereignty.

October 7, 2025, 7:53 AM

Diplomats from several nations seated at the Security Council table with an audience gathered behind them at the UN.

China's UN Representative Ma Zhaoxu attends the Security Council meeting on children and armed conflict at the United Nations in New York City. By lev radin / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The European Union has asserted that UN Resolution 2758, which transferred China’s UN seat to Beijing, focused solely on representation and did not mention Taiwan, directly challenging China’s claim that it provides international legal backing for territorial claims over the island.

The EU’s clarification aligns with the U.S. State Department’s position, both accusing China of intentionally mischaracterizing and misusing the resolution to isolate Taiwan internationally.

China maintains that Resolution 2758 solidifies its “One China” principle and claim over Taiwan, while Taiwan views this interpretation as an attempt to create a false legal basis for a future military takeover.

The Story So Far

The current international dispute over Taiwan’s status is centered on the 1971 United Nations Resolution 2758, which transferred China’s UN seat from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China. While China consistently asserts this resolution provides international legal backing for its “One China” principle and its territorial claims over the self-governed island, Taiwan, the EU, and the U.S. challenge this interpretation, arguing the resolution solely concerned diplomatic representation and did not address Taiwan’s sovereignty, thereby pushing back against what they see as Beijing’s mischaracterization to isolate Taiwan.

Why This Matters

The European Union’s public challenge to China’s interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, aligning with the U.S., significantly undermines Beijing’s long-held international legal justification for its territorial claims over Taiwan. This unified diplomatic front by major global powers could further escalate geopolitical tensions, strengthen Taiwan’s international position against China’s isolation efforts, and increase scrutiny of Beijing’s actions towards the self-governed island.

Who Thinks What?

The European Union, aligning with the U.S. State Department, asserts that UN Resolution 2758 focused solely on the transfer of China’s representation within the United Nations and did not mention Taiwan or address its sovereignty, viewing China’s interpretation as a mischaracterization.

China consistently maintains that Resolution 2758 solidifies its claim over Taiwan, reiterating that the document provides international legal backing for its territorial claims and is a cornerstone of its “One China” principle.

Taiwan contends that Beijing’s interpretation of Resolution 2758 is an attempt to create a false legal basis for a future military takeover of the self-governed island.

The European Union has weighed into the escalating dispute over the 1971 United Nations Resolution 2758, asserting that the document, which led to Beijing assuming China’s seat from Taipei, focused solely on representation and did not mention Taiwan. This directly challenges China’s long-held assertion that the resolution provides international legal backing for its territorial claims over the self-governed island, an interpretation Taiwan views as a misleading pretext for potential invasion.

The EU’s Stance on Resolution 2758

An EU spokesperson clarified that Resolution 2758 is notably brief, comprising only 150 words, none of which refer to “Taiwan.” The resolution specifically concerned the transfer of representation in the United Nations from “the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” to “the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.”

This clarification aligns with a similar position articulated by the U.S. State Department last week. Washington accused China of intentionally mischaracterizing and misusing the resolution as part of broader “coercive attempts to isolate Taiwan from the international community.”

Diverging Interpretations

China has consistently maintained that Resolution 2758 solidifies its claim over Taiwan, reiterating this position in a recent foreign ministry statement. Beijing views the resolution as a cornerstone of its “One China” principle, which asserts Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory.

Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, asserts that Beijing’s interpretation is an attempt to create a false legal basis for a future military takeover of the island. Taiwan’s government fled to the island in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communists, retaining China’s UN seat until the 1971 resolution was passed, which recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China.

International Responsibilities and Taiwan’s Outreach

The EU spokesperson also emphasized China’s special responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to uphold international law. This includes adherence to the United Nations Charter, the prohibition of the use of force, and the maintenance of international peace and security.

While no EU member state has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the island’s foreign minister visited Europe twice last month, seeking increased support and highlighting the strategic importance of democratic Taiwan amidst rising tensions with Beijing.

Key Takeaways

The diverging interpretations of UN Resolution 2758 by China, Taiwan, and now the EU and U.S. underscore the ongoing international complexities surrounding Taiwan’s status. The recent statements from Brussels and Washington aim to counter Beijing’s narrative by clarifying the resolution’s original scope, focusing on diplomatic representation rather than sovereignty claims.