Vol. 525 No. 2
268 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland's policy in relation to Taiwan; if he will give details on Ireland's stance on the one-China policy of the Chinese Government and its approach to reunification based on the one-country, two-systems principle. [24655/00]
Ireland established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979 and from that time has accepted the One China Policy of the authorities in Beijing. A similar acceptance applies in respect of all countries which maintain diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and therefore our approach is shared by all EU partners, the United States and several other countries.
Shortly before 1979 the Chinese authorities, under the then leadership of Deng Hsiao Ping, had announced their One China Policy based on the one-country two-systems principle which would apply to the eventual reintegration of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan into China. In accordance with these principles those three areas are part of China but the two-systems principle would allow them to continue with their respective free-market economies and local political systems for a period of 50 years.
The peaceful reintegration of Hong Kong in 1997 and Macau in 1999 are now matters of history and the situation in these territories is that the two systems principle is being respected.
In accordance with our acceptance of the One China Policy outlined above, the Government considers Taiwan to be part of China.
The Government follows very closely developments between the Government of China and the elected representatives of the Taiwanese in Taipei. We have studied carefully a policy document issued earlier this year by the authorities in Beijing on the question of the reintegration of Taiwan into China, and noted with concern that, in certain circumstances, the use of force to achieve this goal was not being ruled out. Our concerns in this regard have been conveyed to the Chinese authorities at the highest level both by the Taoiseach and by the Tánaiste recently. They urged the Chinese authorities to pursue their goal of reintegration through peaceful dialogue. It is the hope of the Government that such dialogue will commence at an early date.
This concern about the possible use of force is shared by our EU partners, and has also been conveyed to the Chinese authorities by the Union on every appropriate occasion. This was done most recently by the Presidency in Office at the EU-China summit which took place in Beijing on 23 October.
While we are concerned that dialogue has not yet started between Beijing and Taipei, the Government is also conscious of the pragmatic economic links which continue to grow between the people of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. We hope that these relationships can assist in promoting a broader dialogue.
