TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan Health and Welfare Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) left for the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Friday (May 24), followed by delegations of lawmakers.

As in previous years, Chinese pressure has prevented Taiwan from being invited to the World Health Organization (WHO) conference. Chiu hopes to hold talks with WHA participants on the margins of the May 27-June 1 event while presenting forums and an international news conference to promote Taiwan’s case for inclusion.

If the WHA decides not to discuss Taiwan’s application, Chiu said his group would file a letter of protest, the Liberty Times reported. While in Geneva, the delegation will tell media about Taiwan’s contributions to health and hygiene overseas, and explain why its exclusion from the WHA is a loss to the global community.

Of Taiwan’s 12 official diplomatic allies, the 11 that are attending the WHA will voice support for its case, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said at a news conference on Friday. He also condemned China’s demand that Taiwan forego its sovereignty as a condition for WHO membership.

A four-member multiparty delegation from the Legislative Yuan also left for Geneva Friday night, per CNA. Legislative Vice Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) led the group, which also included one lawmaker each from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Kuomintang (KMT), and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).