Studying the status of Taiwan according to international law, we must grasp changing political realities and the nature and basic principles of international law. The law is not just a set of static, inflexible international rules, it is a dynamic, ongoing decision-making process to realize the common interest of all humankind -- keeping international peace and security and furthering international cooperation.
To sum up, Taiwan fulfills all the conditions for being a state or country: It has a population, effective control over a territory, a government and sovereignty. The past undetermined status of Taiwan according to international law has now been determined and Taiwan has evolved into a sovereign and independent country.
Chen Lung-chu is chairman of the Taiwan New Century Foundation and president of the Taiwanese Society of International Law.
Translated by Jason Cox and Anna Stiggelbout
RSS