By Michael Olukayode

The status of Taiwan remains one of the most enduring and strategically sensitive disputes in modern international relations — a question where history, law, identity, and geopolitics collide without easy resolution. It is not merely a territorial disagreement between Beijing and Taipei; it is a layered contest over legitimacy, sovereignty, and the meaning of statehood in a shifting global order.

Across recent scholarly salons and policy interventions in Africa and beyond — particularly the Abuja media salon hosted by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria — a striking convergence has emerged around the One-China Principle, even as interpretations of its implications remain sharply contested.

The Historical Fault Line: 1949 and the Birth of Two Political Realities

The modern Taiwan question originates in the Chinese Civil War, which ended in 1949 with the Communist Party of China establishing the People’s Republic of China on the mainland while the defeated Kuomintang (KMT) government retreated to Taiwan.

As Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim forcefully stated at the Abuja salon:

“Taiwan is not a sovereign entity, it has no independence and it is not a member of the United Nations.”

From Beijing’s perspective, this was not the creation of two states but the continuation of one China under different administrations.

This position aligns with the broader Chinese narrative repeatedly emphasized in diplomatic discourse, including the categorical assertion that:

“Taiwan has never been a country, was never one in the past, and will never be one in the future.”

Taiwan, however, evolved in a very different direction. Over decades, it developed into a functioning democratic polity with its own political institutions, elections, military structure, and constitutional governance.

This divergence produces what scholars describe as a central paradox: a de facto state operating with constrained de jure recognition, facing a sovereign claim from a rising global power.

The Legal Architecture: UN Resolution 2758 and Competing Interpretations

A cornerstone of Beijing’s argument is United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which restored China’s seat at the United Nations in 1971.

At the Abuja salon, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim insisted:

“This resolution has explicitly established… that there is only one seat for China in the United Nations, leaving no room for ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan’.”

From this perspective, Taiwan is not a separate subject of international law but part of China whose representation is subsumed under Beijing.

Taiwan and its supporters contest this interpretation, arguing that Resolution 2758 addresses representation — not sovereignty — leaving Taiwan’s political status deliberately unresolved.

This legal ambiguity has become what many scholars now describe as structured uncertainty, sustaining diplomatic flexibility while preventing formal resolution.

Beijing’s Position: Sovereignty, Reunification, and Historical Mission

China’s position is rooted in sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national rejuvenation.

As reiterated by President Xi Jinping:

“The great tide of compatriots on both sides of the strait becoming closer, more connected and coming together will not change. This is the verdict of history.”

In Chinese official discourse, reunification is not framed as a negotiable issue but as a historical inevitability tied to national revival.

This perspective was reinforced in Abuja by African analysts who align with Beijing’s framing of sovereignty as non-negotiable, with Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim emphasizing that Africa’s diplomatic alignment reflects a global consensus increasingly anchored in the One-China Principle.

Taiwan’s Position: Democracy, Identity, and De Facto Sovereignty

Taiwan’s position rests on lived political reality and democratic self-governance.

While officially still called the Republic of China, Taiwan functions as an independent political system with its own elections, judiciary, military, and constitution.

Its leadership under President Lai Ching-te emphasizes Taiwan’s distinct political identity and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

From Beijing’s perspective, this is framed as separatism. From Taiwan’s perspective, it is democratic self-determination.

The result is a deeply entrenched ideological divide: territorial integrity versus political identity.

Strategic Ambiguity and Global Power Politics

A critical dimension of the Taiwan issue is the role of external powers, particularly the United States.

Washington’s policy of strategic ambiguity — recognizing the One-China framework while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan — is widely seen as both stabilizing and contradictory.

At the Abuja salon, Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim and other speakers framed external engagement with Taiwan as part of what they described as “separatist encouragement,” while emphasizing African alignment with Beijing’s position.

Africa’s Diplomatic Alignment and the One-China Consensus

A recurring theme in Abuja was overwhelming African diplomatic alignment with Beijing.

As multiple presenters emphasized:

“As of May 2026, 53 out of 54 African nations adhere to the One-China policy.”

The only exception remains Eswatini.

At the salon, Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim argued that this position reflects historical continuity in African diplomacy:

“African nations have consistently stood with China on issues concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Dr. Segun Showunmi, who is an Ace Public affairs analyst and social impact expert, with experience in governance, policy and civic engagement added that this alignment is not merely political but developmental:

“That consistency created trust and in international politics, trust often translates into investment, infrastructure, and strategic cooperation.”

The Abuja Diplomatic Intervention: China’s Official Position

A defining moment of the salon came from the representative of the Chinese state — the Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Ms.Dong Hairong— who reiterated Beijing’s formal position in unambiguous terms:

“There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.”

This intervention anchored the entire discussion within the framework of Chinese sovereignty doctrine and reinforced that diplomatic relations with China are premised on acceptance of the One-China Principle.

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Prof. Sam Amadi: Strategic Ambiguity as Diplomatic Reality

Professor Sam Amadi, a policy strategist and law and governance expert, Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts,
introduced a more analytical framing, arguing that global practice is defined not by clarity but by managed contradiction.

He stated:

“The One-China principle and One-China policy are clear, but difficult to operationalise.”

He further explained:

“What we have today is strategic ambiguity… meaning they acknowledge, but at the same time, they engage.”

For Amadi, the central question for Africa is not ideological but practical:

“Should we foreclose ambiguity and advance a straight One-China principle, which will exclude all kinds of trade and engagement with Taiwan?”

His conclusion favored diplomatic exclusivity with calibrated economic engagement.

Strategic Realism: Why the Status Quo Persists

Despite rhetorical intensity, the Taiwan issue persists in its unresolved form due to structural constraints:

* China cannot accept formal separation without undermining sovereignty doctrine
* Taiwan cannot accept reunification without losing political autonomy
* The United States benefits strategically from ambiguity
* African states largely align diplomatically with Beijing while prioritizing development ties

As Professor Amadi summarized:

“We acknowledge these principles, but we go back there and also deal with Taiwan in trade… using strategic ambiguity.”

Conclusion: History as Contest, Diplomacy as Equilibrium

The Abuja salon underscored a broader truth about the Taiwan question: it is not merely a territorial dispute but a global governance dilemma.

On one side stands China’s categorical assertion, echoed in Abuja:

“There is only one China.”

On the other stands Taiwan’s democratic identity and de facto autonomy.

Between them lies a global system that simultaneously enforces principle and tolerates ambiguity.

As reflected across the Abuja interventions, including those of Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Dr. Segun Showunmi, Prof. Sam Amadi, and the Chinese diplomatic Counsellor, the Taiwan question endures not because it lacks answers — but because every available answer carries strategic consequences the world is unwilling to fully accept.

And so Taiwan remains what it has become in the 21st century: not only a territorial dispute, but a permanent stress test of international order itself.

….Thousands to be hired, trained, equipped

…..CDS: we’re deploying fresh strategies

The Federal Government is set to take the battle against terrorists and bandits to the forests.

The plan is to reclaim vast forestlands from criminal elements.

There are 1,129 documented forests.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment and deployment of forest guards.

The initiative, according to Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, is intended to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs who have used forests as havens.

Dare, in a post on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD, said the recruitment drive will be carried out by the federal and state governments.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Ministry of Environment will provide oversight, he said.

According to him, the President directed that the forest guards be professionally trained and properly armed to meet the security challenges within the country’s forests, many of which have been exploited by kidnappers, bandits, and insurgents in recent years.

President Tinubu, Dare added, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing every inch of Nigerian territory, declaring that no part of the country would be abandoned to lawlessness.

“To secure the country’s forests, President Tinubu has approved the establishment of forest guards to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forests.

“Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be employed for the initiative.

“President Tinubu reiterated that his administration will not surrender any part of Nigeria’s territory to criminals, vowing to take back the forests,” the statement said.

This latest security initiative is part of the Tinubu Administration’s broader strategy to address the root causes of insecurity while simultaneously providing employment opportunities.

The recruitment process is expected to begin soon, with details on application and training to be jointly released by the supervising agencies, it was learnt.

The initiative, described as laudable, is also seen as a way of complementing existing security operations and environmental protection strategies.

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) hailed the initiative, describing it as a bold step towards ending the insecurity ravaging forested regions, according to a statement by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak.

It cautioned against the politicisation of the guards’ recruitment.

Also, the Arewa Think Tank (ATT) said it was hopeful that the forest guards would boost security.

In a statement by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, it said: “We must say with the air of pride and satisfaction that we now have a President who is very close to the people, who does not detach himself from the people he is governing, who is feeling the pulse of the nation and providing remedy to it.

“We must also say that this move by Mr. President is very unprecedented and creative. We urge him to keep it up for the benefit of the people.

“We advise that the recruitment of these guards should be a collaborative security effort between the federal and state governments.”

Country Director/Principal Representative of German Initiative for Knowledge Transfer in Nigeria, Obinna Ichita, believes the forest guards will help to curb escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

Ichita, the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia, said that by this move, the President had further demonstrated a genuine interest in swiftly addressing the security challenges.

He is hopeful that the forest guards will flush out those suspected foreign elements and their local collaborators, who hide in forests across the country to kidnap and kill innocent people.

Yesterday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the renewed threats by Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) should not be a cause of great concern.

Boko Haram and ISWAP have launched attacks on some military formations and communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the Northeast.

General Musa led other security chiefs on an assessment visit to the Theatre Command North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’.

He visited Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, where multiple explosions occurred at the Armoury due to heat waves.

The CDS told reporters: “The pockets of renewed attacks should not be a cause of concern as the Nigerian Military and other security agencies are on top of the situation.

“Security is not a one-man business. Let me appeal to all and sundry to key into the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping and all other forms of criminality for peace and development of our dear country.

“The Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much committed to bringing lasting peace and development in all nooks and crannies.

“What we are witnessing here is an eclipse caused by pressure on terrorists in the Sahel region, forcing them to increase attacks in Nigeria, especially around the porous borders of the Lake Chad Basin.

“We are working diligently to address these challenges.

“During my recent trip to Russia, Nigeria maintained a non-aligned stance but engaged with key stakeholders ready to partner with us in this fight.

“We have procured more sophisticated weapons which will soon be deployed alongside new strategies to end the madness of terrorism.”

Our attention has been drawn to a publication by the Department of State Security (DSS) regarding a letter dated 14th February 2025,

“Enhanced Security Measures for LSHA,”

Earlier today, lawmakers and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly arrived at the Assembly complex to find the offices of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the Acting Clerk of the House locked and access restricted by operatives of the DSS. Furthermore, the legislative chamber itself was sealed off.

In an apparent effort to justify their actions, the DSS released to the public a letter written by the Acting Clerk of the House, requesting security presence at the Assembly complex.

We wish to categorically state that this is not the first time the House has sought security support from the DSS.

However, it is important to emphasize that in all previous instances, DSS operatives have been stationed at the main gate of the Assembly complex, ensuring that unauthorized persons do not gain entry.

For the avoidance of doubt, at no point did the letter requesting security assistance instruct the DSS to:
– Invade the legislative chamber
– ⁠Lock and restrict access to the Speaker’s office
– ⁠Lock the office of the Acting Clerk
– ⁠Lock the Deputy Speaker’s office

The events of today raise serious concerns about undue interference in legislative affairs. The sanctity of the Lagos State House of Assembly was undermined by armed DSS operatives who actively obstructed lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.

This act amounts to an infringement on the independence of the legislature and a direct assault on democratic governance.

We reiterate that the lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly have taken a decisive and lawful step in the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. We stand firmly behind the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, and remain resolute in our commitment to enacting laws that foster the development and progress of Lagos State.
We call on all relevant authorities to investigate this unwarranted restriction on legislative activities and ensure that such incidents do not recur.

*E-signed*
Hon. (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode
*Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security*