MOFA thanks allies, partners for strong backing of Taiwan’s WHA bid

2022/05/27

Unprecedented support from Taiwan’s allies and like-minded partners around the world for the country’s participation in the World Health Assembly is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said May 25.
 
A total of 13 of the country’s allies called on the World Health Organization to invite Taiwan to attend the WHA as an observer during the 75th edition of the annual meeting, the MOFA said. Expressions of support were also delivered by representatives from like-minded partners including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, Luxemburg, the Czech Republic, the U.K., the U.S. and observer group the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the ministry added.
 
According to the MOFA, Barbara De Rosa-Joynt, senior health advisor of the U.S. Department of State, refuted remarks by the Chinese delegate when she said that the WHO is tasked with addressing global health concerns and should include all stakeholders.
 
Taiwan was an observer in the WHA from 2009 to 2016 and there is no legal justification to exclude the country as an observer, she said, adding that the U.S. will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as the WHO.
 
The WHO should act in accordance with its founding principles of neutrality and professionalism and accept Taiwan’s equal and dignified participation in the international health governance system’s activities, meetings and mechanisms, the MOFA said. Taiwan remains committed to working closely with international partners in a spirit of pragmatism, professionalism and with a willingness to contribute to a seamless global health network, the ministry added.
 
In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said: “We thank all allies & partners for voicing support of #Taiwan’s @WHO inclusion. But #China’s malevolence again denies our right. The way forward is for the world to urge the #Communist dictatorship to stop lying about democratic Taiwan. The truth is we’re not part of the #PRC. JW”
 
WHA75, taking place May 22 to 28 in Geneva, is the first physical gathering of the annual decision-making body of the WHO since the onset of the pandemic. It involves delegations from all member states of the U.N. specialized agency.


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