With the inauguration of the PRC on October 1, 1949, the Chinese government solemnly declared: “This government is the sole legal government representing the people of the People’s Republic of China. It is ready to establish diplomatic relations with all foreign governments willing to observe the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

There is only one China in the world. Taiwan Province is an integral part of the territory of the PRC. Any country seeking to establish diplomatic relations with China must show its readiness to sever all diplomatic relations with the Taiwan authorities and recognize the government of the PRC as the sole legal government of China. The Chinese government consistently adheres to the basic principle of “peaceful reunification of the motherland, and one country, two systems,” and the resolution of the Taiwan issue in accordance with President Jiang Zemin’s eight propositions on the development of cross-Straits relations at the current stage. The Chinese government firmly opposes any scheme or words and deeds aimed at creating “Taiwan independence,” “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”; nor will it tolerate any moves on the part of countries having formal diplomatic relations with China to establish any form of official relations with the Taiwan authorities.

Acting in accordance with the above-mentioned principles, China had established diplomatic relations with 162 countries by the end of 2001.