Former leaders reaffirm support for one-China principle

China

Former leaders reaffirm support for one-China principle

2024-12-06 20:57 Last Updated At：22:37

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and former Nepali Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal have expressed firm support for the One-China principle, emphasizing the importance of China's unity and territorial integrity.

The two former leaders were in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province attending the 2024 Understanding China Conference, which was held from Monday to Wednesday.

Sharaf stresses the significance of the unity and harmony of China and dismisses any ideas that might challenge this vision.

"China is composed of 56 ethnic groups, for example, and they're living happily together. So we shouldn't actually allow issues to disrupt this one main country together. One China means the strongest China. Other than that, no," he said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Khanal echoed this sentiment, underscoring Nepal's longstanding position in support of the One-China principle.

"There is China, only China. Chairman Mao Zedong in 1949 after the victory of the New Democratic Revolution declared a new China has been established. That is only one China. There is no other China. Taiwan is only a part of China. All the areas are China's part, Macao, Hong Kong, all these areas. China is one China. And Nepal's position is always one China," he said in a separate interview with CGTN.

Themed "Carry through the Reform to the End -- Chinese Modernization and New Opportunities for World Development," this year's Understanding China Conference brought together over 600 participants, including officials, scholars, foreign envoys and media representatives.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.