Tag: Dr. Adetoro Banwo

A senior lecturer at the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Adetoro Banwo, has called on the international community to take swift and decisive action against any nation that engages in aggression, invasion, or attacks on others.

Speaking in a paper titled “China’s Anniversaries: From Peace to Unity”, delivered in commemoration of China’s 80th anniversary, Banwo described China’s victory over past aggression as a win for global peace and unity, urging that such milestones must not be undermined.

He commended China for its consistent commitment to peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, adding that these values should be protected and upheld by the global community.

“The international community’s peace efforts that ended Japan’s harsh hostilities preserved China’s sovereign rights over its territories,” Banwo noted. “Today, China’s defense of its sovereignty highlights yet another important milestone.”

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He also applauded China’s role as a global promoter of peace, particularly in Africa, where it continues to support anti-terrorism and conflict resolution initiatives. Highlighting China’s contribution during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Banwo noted the country’s launch of the Partnership Action for Common Security, which includes a pledge of 1 billion RMB yuan in military aid to African nations.

“China also supports African peacekeeping operations through the United Nations Mission, helping this international body secure peace through its actions in nations like Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. As a member of the UN Security Council, China also uses its veto power to dissuade countries from interfering with the sovereignty of many African nations.

“China also established the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund for numerous projects to train and guarantee peace in Africa. This project disbursed over $11 million for various training initiatives across Africa. Africa’s security dilemma and deficit have been a major concern for China, and it has assiduously worked to ensure the continent’s safety. China cooperates with many multilateral organizations to secure peace in Africa, including the United Nations and the African Union.

“These Chinese anniversaries bring forth a call for unity in peace and development.”

A senior lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies at the University of Lagos, Dr. Adetoro Banwo, has called for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan in line with former Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s proposals, affirming that the ‘One-China principle’ remains a cornerstone of China’s international relations and legal framework.

In a paper titled “The Sovereignty of China over Taiwan Is Unquestionable,” Dr. Banwo emphasized that the principle has already been successfully implemented in Hong Kong and Macau through the One Country, Two Systems model. He argued that applying the same approach to Taiwan is crucial for sustaining long-term peace, regional stability, and enhancing economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation.

“The sovereignty of China over Taiwan, therefore, is both historically grounded and internationally recognized. It is not subject to negotiation or reinterpretation”, said Banwo.

“From the perspective of international jurisprudence, Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly (1971) affirmed the PRC as the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations, thereby resolving all political and procedural questions regarding Chinas representation, including Taiwan. This resolution reinforces the One-China Principle, which maintains that there is but one China, and that Taiwan is an integral part of it.

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“As of today, 183 countries, among them the majority of European nations, have established diplomatic relations with China based on the One-China Principle. The United States, through its Joint Communiqués with China in 1972, 1979, and 1982, acknowledged that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China, reaffirming its recognition of the PRC as the sole legal government of China.

“African nations have been steadfast in their support for the One-China policy. In 1971, 26 African nations supported Chinas reinstatement in the UN, prompting Chairman Mao Zedong to declare that our African brothers have carried us into the United Nations.

“Currently, 53 African countries recognize the PRC and support the One-China Principle. For instance, Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations over five decades ago, and Nigerian officials, including Consul-General Yan Yuqing and Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, have consistently reiterated Nigerias recognition of the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China and Taiwan as an inseparable part of Chinese territory”, he added.