The Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 22 expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the World Health Organization for not inviting Taiwan to the 76th session of the World Health Assembly.
During the WHA opening day, 12 of Taiwan’s allies submitted a proposal calling for Taiwan’s participation as an observer and engaged in debates with China and Pakistan to argue their case. Unfortunately, the WHO decided not to include the proposal in its agenda, the MOFA said.
The remarks by representatives of Belize, Nauru, the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Marshall Islands in support of Taiwan’s observer status are deeply appreciated by the government and people, the ministry said.
According to the MOFA, the allies rebutted the erroneous interpretation of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 made by Chinese and Pakistani representatives, who also falsely claimed that Taiwan has been able to attend the WHO’s technical meetings without any obstruction.
The allies said Taiwan’s decadeslong contributions to global health, including its donations of medical supplies at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, have been recognized around the world and made Taiwan an indispensable member of the international community, the ministry added.
The MOFA said the allies’ comments underscore the importance and urgency of including Taiwan in international health initiatives. Excluding the country due to political pressure from China not only is unjust but also jeopardizes global health, the ministry added.
Neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other, and the Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan, the MOFA said. No matter how hard Beijing tries to distort the facts, only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent its 23 million people in the WHO and other international organizations.
China’s persistent interference with Taiwan’s WHA participation runs counter to the WHO’s mandate of Health For All and causes a breach in the global public health network, the MOFA said.
The government will continue working with like-minded partners to expand Taiwan’s global engagement, the ministry said, urging the WHO to grant Taiwan WHA observer status and participation in all of its activities, mechanisms and meetings. (SFC-E)
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