ISTANBUL

Embracing Taiwan in the UN system would help mitigate potential regional crises and maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Tuesday.

Lin highlighted contributions to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, underlined the strategic importance of the Taiwan Strait, and emphasizing its role in global supply chains. He noted Taiwan’s production of over 90% of high-end semiconductors worldwide.

“Despite being aware of the importance of reducing tensions in the region, the United Nations has yet to take action to address the challenges or to incorporate Taiwan in the UN system,” Lin said.

He emphasized that the upcoming 79th UN General Assembly and its Summit of the Future present a timely opportunity to address key security concerns. He rejected the notion of a necessary choice between China and Taiwan in the UN system as a "false dichotomy."

Addressing UN Resolution 2758, Lin accused China of misrepresenting it to conflate with Beijing's "one China principle." China views Taiwan as its own territory that should eventually become part of the mainland.

He claimed that the resolution only addresses China's UN representation and does not mention Taiwan or ascribe any right to China to represent Taiwan in the UN system.

"For a more secure and better world, the UN system needs to include Taiwan," the foreign minister said.

In May, China launched major military drills around Taiwan, just days after the new president, William Lai, was sworn in.