Taiwan’s new membership application was rejected by the United Nations yesterday. For the first time, the de facto state had applied under the name “Taiwan”.

Below is an article published by the International Herald Tribune:

The United Nations has rejected Taiwan's application to become a member of the world body, citing its adherence to the "one China" policy and its recognition of the Chinese government in Beijing.

The application was returned by the U.N. Office of Legal Affairs, according to the U.N.'s Chinese-language Web site.

The United Nations rejected the application on Monday [23 July 2007], citing a 1971 resolution that stopped recognizing the government in Taipei as the representative of China, instead recognizing Beijing as China's sole lawful representative to the world body.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, and since then have been governed separately. Taiwan's government held the U.N. seat until 1971.

"This resolution determined that the U.N. carries out a 'one China' policy," the U.N. said.

Adherence to the "one China" policy, as practiced by the U.N., means accepting that both Taiwan and China belong to the same national entity.

In Taipei, Foreign Ministry spokesman David Wang deplored the U.N.'s decision.

"We regret that the U.N. stalled the Taiwan application ... for political reasons," he said. "The 1971 resolution should be reviewed, as it fails to address the question of the right of representation and participation by the Taiwanese people."

Taiwan was expelled from the U.N. in 1971 when its seat — which it held under the name Republic of China — was transferred to the Beijing-based government of the People's Republic of China.

On July 19 [2007], the self-ruled island applied to join the United Nations as Taiwan — a departure from 14 previous post-1971 applications as the Republic of China.

The bid reflected the policies of President Chen Shui-bian, who favors making the island's de facto independence permanent. Chen last month announced plans for a referendum that would support the government's bid to enter the U.N.

On Tuesday [24 July 2007], presidential spokesman David Lee said the referendum plans will not be affected by the U.N.'s decision.

"Entering the U.N. is the mainstream opinion in Taiwan," he said. "The referendum will enable us to have our voice heard in the world."

Taiwan's U.N. bid was roundly condemned by China, and also opposed by the United States, which saw it as an effort to change the fragile status quo that has governed relations among the three since Washington transferred its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

The U.S. also accepts the "one China" policy, without explicitly accepting China's claim that Taiwan is part of its territory.