Moscow reacts to suggestion that China ‘take back’ land from Russia

The two countries have no territorial disputes, the Russian Foreign Ministry has told Taipei

Instead of suggesting that China “take back” land from Russia, Taiwan should focus on Beijing’s offer of a peaceful reunification, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Tuesday.

On Sunday, the head of the self-governing island’s administration, Lai Ching-te, claimed that Beijing’s desire to reunite with Taiwan had nothing to do with restoring China’s territorial integrity.

“If it is for the sake of territorial integrity, why doesn’t it take back the lands occupied by Russia that were signed over in the Treaty of Aigun?” Lai asked. “You can ask Russia, but you do not,” he said, addressing the Chinese authorities.

The Treaty of Aigun, which was signed between the Russian Empire and China back in 1858, established much of the modern border between the two countries.

When asked to comment on Lai’s statement, Zakharova said that “the opinions of individual fringe politicians, who are fixated on revanchism, might be of interest to some, but not to us.”

Lai, who is “incited by the Americans” to make such statements, should understand that they “will not bring anything good to him or the people of Taiwan,” she stressed.

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Zakharova reminded Taipei that Russia and China renounced all territorial claims with each other, as is stated in bilateral treaties on cooperation and state borders from 2001 and 2004, as well as in other bilateral documents.

“Russia has consistently adhered to the ‘One China’ principle and regards the PRC [People’s Republic of China] government as the sole legitimate government of China,” she said. The spokeswoman advised Taiwan’s administration to pay more attention to the economic situation on the island and “take a constructive approach towards the proposals of the PRC leadership for a peaceful reunification with mainland China.”

“We are confident that our friends in Beijing have the same stance,” she added.

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Both the PRC and the Republic of China (ROC) were formed after the 1911 revolution that resulted in the overthrow of imperial rule in the country. The ROC originally occupied territories on the mainland, but its leadership was forced to flee to Taiwan after a civil war with the communists in 1949. Taiwan has been self-governed since then, but has never formally declared independence from China. Beijing, which adheres to a ‘One China’ policy, views it as a breakaway territory.