This photograph shows the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO) after the launch of their global trade outlook in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 19, 2026. Photo: VCG

Taiwan regional authorities have been frustrated in another international occasion that the region is being designated as a province of China. 

When asked for comment on the Taiwan regional authorities' claim that it would skip for the first time a high-level World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Cameroon and that Cameroon had designated the island as a province of China in paperwork issued to its delegation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. 

China's position on the Taiwan region's participation in the activities of international organizations is consistent and clear, that is, it must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle, Lin added.

The remarks came after Taiwan island's so-called "foreign affairs department" claimed that Cameroon, the host country of the 14th ministerial conference of the WTO, had listed Taiwan region under the designation "Taiwan, Province of China" in the nationality column on courtesy visas for the Taiwan delegation, according to Taiwan local media outlet CNA.

This legitimate move by Cameroon appeared to have frustrated the Taiwan regional authorities. The so-called "foreign affairs department" claimed Cameroon's act as "belittling," as the move resulted in Taiwan's "forced absence" for the first time since 2001, while a Taiwan media outlet said that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers in Taiwan island were "enraged."

As of press time, Cameroon has made no revisions whatsoever, and GT reporters found no coverage in major outlets of Cameroon, including Cameroon Tribune, The Sun, The Post and La Nouvelle Expression, suggesting limited attention on Taiwan local authority's claims. 

Spokesperson Lin said that the one-China principle is the political prerequisite for the Taiwan region's participation in the WTO. The DPP authorities are engaging in political manipulation despicably under the pretext of participation in the WTO conference to create disruption and serve their "Taiwan independence" agenda.

"There is no way they will succeed," Lin noted.

With the one-China principle being a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm governing international relations, the DPP authorities have flown into a hysterical rage in more occasions. Earlier this year, the South Korean government launched its e-arrival card system on February 24, 2025 to expedite entry into the country, in which the government listed Taiwan as "China (Taiwan)," the Korea Times reported.

The move also sparked strong yet futile reaction among Taiwan authorities. Taiwan's so-called "foreign affairs department" warned that if South Korea does not respond positively by March 31, corresponding measures will be taken regarding Taiwan's "electronic entry registration form," The Chosun Daily said.

In response, spokesperson Lin said on March 19 that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus.

The DPP's fury stems from the fact that the DPP authorities led by Lai Ching-te, a diehard "Taiwan independence" separatist, are bent on eradicating any link with the mainland. 

Yet they are garnering ever less support, and the trend that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end has become increasingly evident, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.