Why can’t Taiwan join the United Nations? What does UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 say exactly? The Taiwan Center in Los Angeles is set to hold a “UN For Taiwan” seminar at 2 p.m. on August 18 (Sunday) to explain the resolution and discuss the importance of Taiwan’s participation in international affairs for interested individuals.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Chairman of the Taiwan Center in Los Angeles and National Policy Advisor to the Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Dr. Tyan Tih-Hong, expressed that in recent years, Taiwan-US relations have become increasingly closer and more friendly than ever before. Countries around the world now recognize Taiwan’s influence internationally. Therefore, he hopes that the people of Taiwan and overseas compatriots can mobilize to support Taiwan’s entry into the United Nations. This event is co-hosted by the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) Los Angeles chapter and has received support from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles.
Deputy Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in LA, Chang Cheng-Yu, expressed his gratitude to the Southern California overseas community for voluntarily uniting to speak up for Taiwan. He pointed out that in 2023, Taiwan ranked 19th in total trading value globally and is the 16th largest exporter and 21st largest importer in the world. Taiwan serves as a crucial hub for global economy, aviation, transportation, and tourism. Excluding Taiwan from the UN system not only prevents it from contributing to global development and international norms relevant to human future but may also pose a potential security loophole on a global scale.
Chang emphasized that UN Resolution 2758 only deals with China’s representation at the UN and does not authorize the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan within the UN system or mention Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China. This resolution should not be used as a basis for excluding the international participation of the Taiwanese people. The Taiwanese government calls for the UN to stop the “misinterpretation,” stating that Taiwan is a positive force in the international community. The rights of its 23.5 million people should not be ignored. He also urged the public to support Taiwan’s participation in the UN to allow Taiwan to make more contributions to global peace, stability, and the well-being of all human beings.
Director of the Los Angeles Overseas Community Center, Chen Min-Yung, called on Taiwan compatriots overseas to actively participate in the “UN for Taiwan” series of protest marches in Los Angeles, allowing the mainstream American society to witness the shine of the Taiwanese people on the world stage. Starting from August 17 to September 15, there will be a total of six “UN for Taiwan” protest marches, welcoming the public to participate enthusiastically.
The schedule for the protest marches is as follows: August 17 (Saturday) at 10 a.m. at Santa Monica Pier; August 24 (Saturday) at 10 a.m. at Huntington Library; August 25 (Sunday) at 2 p.m. at Universal Studios Hollywood; August 31 (Saturday) at 2 p.m. on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills; September 8 (Sunday) at 6 p.m. at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles; September 15 (Sunday) at 2 p.m. at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The seminar will be led by National Policy Advisor to the Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Lin Jung-Song, who will analyze the “legal issues of Taiwan’s participation in the UN system.” FAPA LA President Lee Hsien-Chun will introduce the current situation of “Taiwanese American community appealing for U.S. support for Taiwan’s international participation,” with the joint call for American society to consider Taiwan’s equal participation in the UN system.
Senior accountant Yeh Chun-Lin will enlighten the public on the “Taiwan Relations Act and its impact in the United States,” shedding light on the positive support Taiwan has received internationally. FAPA LA Vice President Wu Chao-Feng will explain the “UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the improper linkage to the Chinese Communist Party.”
Dong Nai-Yun, a student at a Southern California university who has repeatedly traveled to Geneva and New York to support Taiwan’s accession to world organizations, will share the perspective of young people on “Generation Z’s view of Resolution 2758” and share his own experiences regarding Taiwan’s international participation.