The US government requested Taiwan to be invited to the World Health Assembly (WHA) scheduled for the end of this month on the 9th (local time).
In a statement posted on the State Department website that day, US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln said, “The WHA discusses global public health priorities,” and “an opportunity for delegations and health experts from each country to advance global health and health security.” said.
“We strongly urge the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan as an observer to the WHA Annual Meeting this year to add professionalism to the discussion,” he said.
WHA is the highest decision-making body of WHO and will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from the 21st to the 30th of this month.
Taiwan is a founding member of the WHO, but was expelled from the WHO in 1972 after the United Nations recognized China as the only legitimate government and revoked Taiwan’s UN membership.
Taiwan participated in the WHA annual meeting as an observer from 2009 to 2016, but has been unable to attend due to opposition from China, which insists on the “one China principle” since 2017 after the independent Tsai Ing-wen government took office.
The United States continued to promote Taiwan’s participation in international conferences such as the WHA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), drawing opposition from China.
Minister Blincoln said, “Inviting Taiwan as an observer will be a good example of WHO’s comprehensive commitment to a ‘Health for All’ approach to international health cooperation.” As an active and responsible member, we have been invited as observers to previous WHA meetings.”
“Taiwan is a trusted partner, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world,” he said. “The United States will continue to support Taiwan in its return as a WHA observer.”
Minister Blincoln also said, “Our support for Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international forums is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the One China Principle under the Six Guarantees and Three Communiques between the US and China.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.