Dr. Adetoro Banwo, University of Lagos, Nigeria

The concept of sovereignty has been extensively theorized by prominent scholars such as Jean Bodin, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Austin. These theorists commonly assert that sovereignty denotes the supreme and absolute authority vested in a particular body to legislate and govern within a defined territory. In the case of China, sovereignty is articulated and exercised by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which governs with indivisible and comprehensive authority over the state and its people. This authority is further reinforced by China’s adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, first articulated in 1954, which include mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

The CCP’s definition of sovereignty emphasizes the exclusive right of the Chinese state to govern and regulate all affairs within its territorial boundaries, including political, economic, cultural, and technological domains. This sovereignty inherently extends to all of China’s historical and de facto territories, including Taiwan and the South China Sea islands. Historically and legally, Taiwan has been an integral part of China, a claim substantiated by historical documentation and demographic evidence.

Early Han Chinese immigration to Taiwan began in the 12th century. By 1171, Han fishermen were residing in the Penghu Islands, which later came under the jurisdiction of Tong’an County during the Yuan Dynasty in 1281. During the Ming Dynasty, despite a maritime embargo that temporarily halted settlements, Chinese migrants resumed cultivation in southwestern Taiwan by the late 16th century. Seasonal Han fishermen from Fujian Province populated Taiwan’s southern coast in the 17th century, numbering between 1,500 and 2,000. Taiwan, known as Dutch Formosa during brief colonial rule, was occupied by the Dutch from 1624 to 1662, and briefly again from 1664 to 1668. Concurrently, the Spanish established a foothold in northern Taiwan in 1626, constructing forts in Jilong and Danshui. By the mid-1630s, they controlled large portions of the region until being expelled.

The sovereignty of Taiwan was momentarily transferred following the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), through the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ceded Taiwan to Japan. However, following Japan’s defeat in World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco (1952) saw Japan renounce all claims to Taiwan, legally restoring the island’s status as part of China. With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949, the PRC was internationally recognized as the sole legitimate government of China, thereby superseding the Republic of China (1912–1949). Consequently, Taiwan remains an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

From the perspective of international jurisprudence, Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly (1971) affirmed the PRC as “the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations,” thereby resolving all political and procedural questions regarding China’s representation, including Taiwan. This resolution reinforces the One-China Principle, which maintains that there is but one China, and that Taiwan is an integral part of it.

As of today, 183 countries, among them the majority of European nations, have established diplomatic relations with China based on the One-China Principle. The United States, through its Joint Communiqués with China in 1972, 1979, and 1982, acknowledged that “all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China,” reaffirming its recognition of the PRC as the sole legal government of China.

African nations have been steadfast in their support for the One-China policy. In 1971, 26 African nations supported China’s reinstatement in the UN, prompting Chairman Mao Zedong to declare that “our African brothers have carried us into the United Nations.” Currently, 53 African countries recognize the PRC and support the One-China Principle. For instance, Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations over five decades ago, and Nigerian officials, including Consul-General Yan Yuqing and Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, have consistently reiterated Nigeria’s recognition of the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China and Taiwan as an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

Further affirming this position, Hon. Ja’afaru Yakubu, Chairman of Nigeria’s House Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, emphasized Nigeria’s full support for China’s peaceful reunification and its opposition to any separatist efforts or foreign interference in China’s internal affairs. Former Nigerian Ambassador Jonathan Coker echoed similar sentiments, arguing for Nigeria’s continued support for the One-China policy as part of a broader commitment to peace and sovereignty.

Academic voices have also supported this stance. Professor Bola Akinterinwa noted that the international community widely acknowledges China’s de jure sovereignty over Taiwan, while Professor Efem Ubi emphasized non-intervention and peaceful reunification as essential pillars of China’s foreign policy. Mrs. Folasade Ambrose-Madame affirmed that mutual respect and the One-China principle form the bedrock of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with China. Ikenna Emewu asserted unequivocally that “China and Taiwan are one country.”

Dr. Adetoro Banwo further advocated for the peaceful implementation of reunification as outlined in former President Jiang Zemin’s proposals. These include fostering cross-strait economic and cultural ties, engaging in non-governmental dialogues, deterring external interference, and strengthening internal cooperation between both sides of the strait. This vision was echoed by President Xi Jinping, who proclaimed, “All sides of the strait are Chinese. No animosity that cannot be healed, no issue that cannot be addressed, and no power that can keep us apart.” Reunification, therefore, is not merely a political aspiration, but an inevitable historical process.

Numerous African countries, including South Africa, Central African Republic, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the One-China policy. Their declarations assert that there is only one China, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and that the PRC is the only legitimate representative of the Chinese people.

In conclusion, the One-China Principle remains a cornerstone of China’s international relations and legal standing. It has been effectively implemented in the cases of Hong Kong and Macau under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. Extending this approach to Taiwan is essential to ensuring enduring peace, stability, and the deepening of economic, scientific, and cultural exchanges. The sovereignty of China over Taiwan, therefore, is both historically grounded and internationally recognized. It is not subject to negotiation or reinterpretation.