What is “United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758”?

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 was adopted on October 25, 1971, to replace the Republic of China (Taiwan) with the Communist People's Republic of China (PRC) as the only representative of China in the United Nations.

The content of the resolution is as follows:

2758 (XXVI). Restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations

The General Assembly,

Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Considering the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential both for the protection of the Charter of the United Nations and for the cause that the United Nations must serve under the Charter,

Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,

Decides to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.

1967th plenary meeting,
25 October 1971

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However, many controversies have been centered on the resolution. First, though being rejected, Taiwan government has kept trying to apply for the UN membership and arguing that Taiwan no longer claims to represent China but instead aims to seek representation for its 22.8 million people. After all, the resolution only emphasizes that the PRC is the legitimate government of China without mentioning the ROC (Taiwan) is an illegitimate government. Namely, the resolution itself does not deny Taiwan as the legitimate ruler of the island of Taiwan, the Pescadores, Kinmen and Matsu. Plus, it is ironic for the UN to claim on its official website that no member has ever been expelled from the UN since its inception.