In the events leading up to the vote itself, there were a great number of discussions, proposals, draft resolutions, and items added to agendas. These were put forth by a great variety of nations that didn't seem to be directly related to the question- nations such as Albania, Algeria, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.
How did these nations come to be on particular sides of the question? Indeed, what sides were there and who was leading them? Was this an extension of the Cold War? How was the PRC involved in getting this resolution formulated and passed?
It seems that this dispute was much more troubled than the comparatively smooth transition between the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia. For something as important as a dispute over a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, I find that I know very little about it. Thank you in advance for your help!
In a world of rapid globalization, especially discussing international politics, countries operate not only in their own interests but also in their allies interest. The reason why countries such as Albania (People's Republic of Albania in 1971), Tunisia and Saudi Arabia were involved in General Assembly Resolution 2758 is simple: the Cold War. Albania, a country within the communist bloc would naturally ally with other communist countries such as the PRC. Saudi Arabia, an ally of the United States, would also naturally be against the resolution. Tunisia, a non-aligned country, would take a moderate stand in between (although Tunisia later withdrew its draft resolutions and called for the expulsion of ROC).^1
Albania and PRC relations go as far back as the late 1950s. Ever since Khruschev initiated the policy of de-Stalinization and peaceful coexistence, Enver Hoxha, First Secretary of the Party of Labor of Albania, distanced himself and the country away from the U.S.S.R. and towards the PRC. In 1956, Hoxha traveled to the PRC, which was then undergoing the Sino-Soviet Split, and met with Mao Zedong. In this image, the Chinese Communist Party portrayed a friendly meeting between Hoxha and Mao.^2
As is within my area of expertise, Saudi and ROC relations also extend a while back. Despite these two countries are completely different, religiously (Sunni Islam vs Buddhist/Confucian), politically (monarchy vs dictatorship), and economically (major resource exporter vs not many natural resources), they share one thing in common, both are allies with the United States and the fight against communism. In the Riyadh Domestic Television Service on January 9th, 1982 quoted Aba al-Khayl, finance and national economy minister, welcomed the Nationalist Chinese Delegation. Aba al-Khayl noted that "Saudi-Chinese cooperation through the joint committee has been progressing for 7 years, during this period bilateral relations have reached new status in all fields, particularly the economic field."^3 On January 10th, Saudi Commerce Minister Dr. Sulayman as-Sulayyim met with the Chinese Economic Affairs Minister William Chao. TD. Sulayman as-Sulayyim noted:
"an agreement has been reached on improving shipping procedures in order to increase commerical exchanges and improve the marketabiliy of Chinese products in Saudi Arabia. He pointed out that Saudi Exports to the Republic of China are valued at $1.5 billion, while Chinese exports to Saudi Arabia are valued at $500 million."^4
Aside from economic cooperation, cultural cooperation also existed between Saudi Arabia and ROC. Taipei Central News Agency (CNA) reported on December 27th 1980, that Saudi Arabia and Taiwan have reached a conclusion in the third session of the Snio-Saudi Permanent Committee on Cultural Cooperation "with pledges by both sides to strengthen their cultural and educational cooperation."^5 One of the main points of this communique was to:
"Strengthen the exchange of information the exchange of information with special emphasis on the role played by the media in the history and civilization of each side to the other, and to coordinate with authorities concerned to implement the exchange of literary, cultural and artistic works. In this regard, the Chinese side renews an invitation for a Saudi cultural week to be held in Taipei."^6
It is tempting to see countries unrelated to each other interfere with each others' affairs, but this is far from reality. Albanian-PRC, and Saudi-ROC relations extend as much as globalization allowed it to, in this case political reasons between Albania-PRC and economic/cultural reasons between Saudi Arabia-ROC.
Endnotes:
Christian Schafferer. "The Power of the Ballot Box: Political Development and Election Campaigning in Taiwan." Lexington Books, 2003. Pg. 21.
The bottom text roughly and directly translates to (excuse my poor mandarin reading abilities): "Chinese and Albanian parties, the existence of these two parties shall endure a long friendship in the revolutionary struggle!"
Television was introduced in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, so earlier records do not exist. FBIS Daily Report ME & Africa. GF092010 Riyadh Domestic Television Service in Arabic 1800 GMT. "Saudi-Taiwan Cooperation Talks Begin 9 Jan." 9th January 1982.
Ibid.
FBIS Daily Report ME & Africa. OW271249. "Taiwan-Saudi Communique on Cultural Cooperation." Taipei CNA in English 1014 CMT. 27th December, 1980.
Ibid.