A statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 8.
Describing Taiwan as a reliable partner, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world, Blinken said its exclusion from the WHA would harm international efforts to bring the pandemic under control and prevent future health crises. He called for the country’s immediate invitation to the WHA, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.
Taiwan offers valuable contributions and lessons learned from its approach to tackling global health challenges, Blinken said, adding that such issues do not respect borders or recognize political disputes.
Blinken said Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus should allow Taiwan to participate as an observer at the WHA, as it did from 2009 to 2016 prior to objections by China. Excluding the interests of 24 million people would jeopardize shared global health objectives, he added.
In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said, “My appreciation to @SecBlinken for urging @WHO to immediately invite #Taiwan to #WHA74. Excluding a reliable partner, vibrant democracy & force for good in the world while jeopardizing global health is wrong, especially at the behest of #China. JW”
According to the MOFA, Blinken’s message is the latest show of support from Washington for Taiwan’s bid to take part in the 74th WHA. It follows a global social media campaign supporting Taiwan’s participation initiated by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations April 27. (DL-E)
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