TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – An estimated 500 people marched at Tuvalu’s main international airport in support of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), reports said Friday (April 19).

The event came as Geneva prepares to host the latest edition of the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. Taiwan has been trying for years to attend but has been prevented from doing so due to opposition from China.

The Taiwan embassy in Tuvalu and the Tuvalu National Provident Fund organized Friday’s event at Funafuti International Airport. Marchers carried banners and wore shirts with the words “Health for All, Taiwan Can Help.”

Participants included government officials, the head of the Tuvalu Climate Action Network, doctors and nurses from Princess Margaret Hospital, Taiwan Ambassador Andrew Lin (林東亨), and a team from Chung Shan Medical University Hospital in Taichung City, per CNA.

In his address to the rally, Lin thanked the government of Tuvalu for its support, while promising continued assistance to help improve healthcare in the Pacific island nation. The program includes sending medical teams, training local staff, and supplying new equipment, he said.

The new prime minister of Tuvalu, Feleti Teo, is expected to attend the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on May 20. Before Teo’s selection in February, there were doubts about Tuvalu’s willingness to continue the 45-year official diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.