Anti-Nuclear Proliferation Resolution (Back from the Brink Act)
House Joint Resolution 7 is a foreign-policy resolution expressing Maryland’s opposition to the People’s Republic of China’s use of United Nations Resolution 2758 to argue that Taiwan is part of China or to bar Taiwan from meaningful participation in international organizations. The resolution states that UN Resolution 2758 was limited to the question of China’s representation at the UN and did not decide Taiwan’s political status. It also distinguishes the U.S. One China Policy from the Chinese Communist Party’s One China Principle, and it reaffirms that Maryland does not take a position on Taiwan’s sovereignty.
The resolution calls on the United Nations, its Secretariat, and other international bodies to stop citing Resolution 2758 as a basis for excluding Taiwan, and it urges the U.S. government and international partners to counter what it describes as Chinese disinformation about Taiwan. It further supports Taiwan’s diplomatic relationships, its participation in international organizations where statehood is not required, and broader efforts to deepen ties with Taiwan in areas such as trade, education, investment, and tourism. A copy of the resolution is to be sent to Maryland leaders and Taiwan’s representative in Washington, D.C.
If adopted, the resolution would not change Maryland statutory law or create enforceable legal duties; it would function as a formal statement of the General Assembly’s position on Taiwan, China, and UN Resolution 2758. Its practical effect would be diplomatic and symbolic, aligning Maryland with pro-Taiwan positions and encouraging state-level and federal actors to support Taiwan’s international participation and to reject PRC claims that Resolution 2758 settles Taiwan’s status. It also reinforces the distinction between the U.S. One China Policy and the PRC’s One China Principle in official state messaging.
The bill appears strongly supportive of Taiwan and critical of the PRC’s diplomatic strategy, with the resolution’s language reflecting a clear consensus in favor of Taiwan’s inclusion in international forums. The text cites U.S. State Department statements and allied-country positions to frame the issue as one of correcting misinformation and defending Taiwan’s international space. No committee testimony or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence in the supplied materials of organized opposition or divided sentiment within the legislative process.
The central point of contention is the interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 and whether it can be used to support the PRC’s claim that Taiwan is part of China. The resolution rejects that interpretation, while the PRC’s position is described as conflating the UN resolution with its own One China Principle. Another likely area of disagreement is Taiwan’s participation in UN bodies and other international organizations, which the resolution supports but which the PRC opposes. The bill also touches on the broader sovereignty question, though it explicitly states Maryland is not taking a position on Taiwan’s ultimate political status.