MOFA voices discontent with WHO remarks on Taiwan

2020/04/20

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs April 16 expressed strong dissatisfaction over remarks made a day earlier by the World Health Organization’s Secretariat justifying its stance on Taiwan’s WHO participation.
 
 The Secretariat’s citing of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 as justifications for Taiwan’s exclusion is erroneous, while its claim of having maintained good and extensive interactions with Taiwan also fails to present the full picture, the MOFA said.
 
 The two resolutions do not refer to Taiwan as part of China, appropriately address the participation of Taiwan’s 23 million people in U.N. specialized agencies or authorize China to represent Taiwan in the U.N. system, it added.
 
 According to the MOFA, Taiwan is a democratic country widely commended by the global community that enjoys full statehood and maintains an advanced and comprehensive health care system.
 
 Although the WHO has granted Taiwan limited involvement in recent years thanks to robust support from the global community, the organization’s adherence to political considerations continues to hamper full participation, the ministry added.
 
 Taiwan’s bid to play a constructive, pragmatic and professional role in the WHO has gained widespread support, the ministry said, adding that an increasing number of countries have voiced concern that its exclusion from the WHO poses a risk to global health.
 
 As the leading public health organization in the world, the WHO should maintain a position of neutrality and professionalism, and not become complicit in suppressing the right to health of Taiwan’s people, the ministry said.
 
 The MOFA called on the U.N. organization to acknowledge Taiwan and China are two separate jurisdictions, respond to the global community’s calls by inviting Taiwan to attend this year’s WHA as an observer, and facilitate the country’s full participation in its activities, mechanisms and meetings.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)