TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan should be included in the World Health Assembly (WHA) owing to its contributions to global health, Taiwan Ambassador to Guatemala Miguel Li-jey Tsao (曹立傑) said in an opinion article published on Monday (May 6).
Since the COVID pandemic, Taiwan has proven it can “quickly identify and respond to public health emergencies,” Tsao said. Taiwan also works with its allies to ensure they have sufficient medical care, he said.
In Guatemala, Taiwan has launched the Medical Technology Promotion Project for the Improvement of Maternal and Neonatal Health, to enhance the country’s “capacity and quality of maternal and child care,” Tsao said.
The ambassador lamented that despite its contributions, Taiwan is still excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) “due to obstructive tactics” from China and the organization’s acquiescence. Tsao called the situation “unjust” and said it prevents the international community from effectively preparing for future pandemics.
“Taiwan's participation in the WHO would facilitate closer collaboration in monitoring new virus strains, exchanging diagnostic data, and researching vaccines and treatments,” Tsao said. He urged Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and like-minded partners to back its participation in the WHA and WHO activities to establish “a comprehensive global health and disease prevention network.”
Tsao’s message comes just three weeks before the 77th WHA is set to begin. Taiwan plans to send a legislative delegation led by Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) to participate in sideline meetings and garner support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHO.
On May 1, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his full support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHO.
“Time and again, Taiwan has demonstrated a capability and willingness to help address global health crises and support the global health community,” Blinken said in a statement. The U.S. “strongly encourages” WHO to allow Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer, he said.
Last year, aside from its diplomatic allies, 13 like-minded countries spoke up for Taiwan including the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Canada, Australia, France, and Germany.
