China has denounced Taiwan's latest attempt to rejoin the United Nations - an effort that Beijing says is "doomed."
Kong Quan, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday that Taiwan's request violates the U.N. Charter. Beijing says Taiwan's application is unlikely to gain any support, and is doomed to fail.
Representatives from Taiwan asked the United Nations Friday to restore the island's membership in the world body to help keep peace in the Taiwan straits. This was the 13th time Taiwan has tried to rejoin the United Nations since its membership was revoked 34 years ago.
The United Nations has recognized Beijing as China's sole representative in the world body since 1971, when Taiwan's seat was transferred to the mainland government. China sits as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, with veto power, and it has blocked Taiwan's 12 previous efforts to rejoin the General Assembly.
The United States recognizes the People's Republic of China as China's sole legal government, and it acknowledges Beijing's position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. U.S. policy supports all appropriate opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in organizations where its membership is not possible.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
