At a daily briefing in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian underscored that Guatemala's formal recognition of the one-China principle and deepening ties with the Chinese mainland serve the Central American nation's fundamental interests.
Lin’s remarks came in response to comments by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo during his visit to the Taiwan region – a trip that Beijing views as a direct challenge to the one-China principle. Lin reaffirmed that there is only one China and that the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of the Chinese mainland, with the government of the People’s Republic of China as its sole legal representative.
“This is a prevailing international consensus that cannot be challenged,” Lin stressed, noting that 183 countries have already established diplomatic relations with the Chinese mainland. “That number fully demonstrates that adhering to the one-China principle is aligned with international justice, the will of the people and the trend of the times.”
On attempts by Taiwan authorities to mobilize so-called “allied countries,” Lin dismissed these efforts as “self-deceptive theatrics” unlikely to halt the “overriding historical trend toward China’s reunification.”
Looking ahead, Lin urged governments worldwide to “have a clear grasp of the overarching trend, heed public sentiment and make the correct choice as soon as possible.” For Guatemala, such a decision could bring new opportunities in trade, technology exchange and sustainable development under the one-China framework.
As young global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers track shifting diplomatic ties, this exchange highlights how high-stakes diplomacy can translate into real-world impacts—shaping market access, regional stability and the future of cross-border collaboration.
Reference(s):
China says recognizing one-China principle in interests of Guatemala
cgtn.com
