Chicago Official's Op-Ed in US Media Opposes Distortion of UN and WHA Resolutions
Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Eric Lai, published an op-ed in US media calling for support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). He opposes the misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1, emphasizing Taiwan's medical contributions and leadership in digital healthcare.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 09:41
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## Press Release Information
Title: Chicago Official's Op-Ed in US Media Opposes Distortion of UN and WHA Resolutions
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Body (first 8000 characters): Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Liao Han-yuan New York 7th Exclusive Report) The "Daily Herald" in Illinois, USA, today published an op-ed by Eric Lai, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, calling on the United States and Illinois to support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization and to oppose the erroneous distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1.
The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 18 to 23. The "Daily Herald" in Illinois, USA, published an op-ed by Eric Lai, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, on the 7th, titled "Why Taiwan's Participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) is in Illinois' Best Interest." The article calls on the United States and friends in Illinois to support Taiwan's participation in WHO-related initiatives and meetings, and to oppose the erroneous interpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1.
The op-ed points out that health is a fundamental human right and a universal value. A stronger healthcare system enhances community well-being, promotes economic stability, and safeguards global security. Illinois boasts world-class medical institutions, global health researchers, and a diverse international population. Ensuring that international health organizations like the WHO embrace all capable partners is closely related to Illinois' public health and economic interests. Taiwan's participation in the WHO is crucial for achieving these goals.
The WHO adopted its work plan for 2025-2028 at its 77th Assembly, emphasizing expanding healthcare services and strengthening financial protection to achieve universal health. Taiwan's achievements in relevant fields are highly aligned with Illinois' health, university, and policy priorities.
Since 1995, Taiwan's universal health insurance system has covered 99.9% of its population and is widely recognized as a model for equitable and efficient medical services. Under the pressure of an aging population, its long-term sustainable provision offers valuable lessons for Illinois, which faces demographic and medical cost pressures. Taiwan consistently ranks among the top in global "Healthcare Index" rankings, highlighting the important value of this experience for US states seeking to strengthen healthcare accessibility and affordability.
Illinois benefits from global health cooperation, with many important medical research centers, public health colleges, and biotechnology companies that work closely with international partners. Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO restricts Illinois' opportunities to exchange information with international partners, collaborate on disease surveillance, and participate in global health innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan donated medical supplies and provided expertise globally, but its inability to join WHO mechanisms hindered the transmission of information that could have helped various parts of the world respond to changes.
Taiwan's leadership in digital health is closely related to Illinois. The universal health insurance cloud platform, AI-assisted diagnostic tools, and Illinois hospitals and research institutions are committed to expanding telemedicine, improving data integration, and reducing disparities in healthcare resource allocation, which are highly consistent. These capabilities are highly relevant to the WHO's global digital health strategy, providing concrete lessons for US states seeking healthcare modernization.
The root cause of Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO lies in political considerations. Neither UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 nor World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 adequately address Taiwan's WHO participation issue, nor do they authorize any government to represent Taiwan in relevant international forums. These fallacies hinder Taiwan's contributions to international health development.
For Illinois and the broader American public, supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in WHO-related mechanisms is not only about fairness but also a pragmatic step to strengthen global and local health security. Inclusive global health cooperation can benefit American communities, protect public health, and contribute to Illinois' research and innovation system. Ensuring that the WHO cooperates with all capable partners, including Taiwan, aligns with the universality and cooperation principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the US commitment to public health leadership.
Taiwan is willing to work with the international community to build a future of borderless healthcare. As the world responds to future epidemics and new health threats, Illinois, with its strong healthcare system and global vision, has clear interests in supporting Taiwan's appropriate role in WHO-related seminars, technical meetings, and health initiatives. (Edited by: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150508
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Title: Chicago Official's Op-Ed in US Media Opposes Distortion of UN and WHA Resolutions
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Body (first 8000 characters): Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Liao Han-yuan New York 7th Exclusive Report) The "Daily Herald" in Illinois, USA, today published an op-ed by Eric Lai, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, calling on the United States and Illinois to support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization and to oppose the erroneous distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1.
The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 18 to 23. The "Daily Herald" in Illinois, USA, published an op-ed by Eric Lai, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, on the 7th, titled "Why Taiwan's Participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) is in Illinois' Best Interest." The article calls on the United States and friends in Illinois to support Taiwan's participation in WHO-related initiatives and meetings, and to oppose the erroneous interpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1.
The op-ed points out that health is a fundamental human right and a universal value. A stronger healthcare system enhances community well-being, promotes economic stability, and safeguards global security. Illinois boasts world-class medical institutions, global health researchers, and a diverse international population. Ensuring that international health organizations like the WHO embrace all capable partners is closely related to Illinois' public health and economic interests. Taiwan's participation in the WHO is crucial for achieving these goals.
The WHO adopted its work plan for 2025-2028 at its 77th Assembly, emphasizing expanding healthcare services and strengthening financial protection to achieve universal health. Taiwan's achievements in relevant fields are highly aligned with Illinois' health, university, and policy priorities.
Since 1995, Taiwan's universal health insurance system has covered 99.9% of its population and is widely recognized as a model for equitable and efficient medical services. Under the pressure of an aging population, its long-term sustainable provision offers valuable lessons for Illinois, which faces demographic and medical cost pressures. Taiwan consistently ranks among the top in global "Healthcare Index" rankings, highlighting the important value of this experience for US states seeking to strengthen healthcare accessibility and affordability.
Illinois benefits from global health cooperation, with many important medical research centers, public health colleges, and biotechnology companies that work closely with international partners. Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO restricts Illinois' opportunities to exchange information with international partners, collaborate on disease surveillance, and participate in global health innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan donated medical supplies and provided expertise globally, but its inability to join WHO mechanisms hindered the transmission of information that could have helped various parts of the world respond to changes.
Taiwan's leadership in digital health is closely related to Illinois. The universal health insurance cloud platform, AI-assisted diagnostic tools, and Illinois hospitals and research institutions are committed to expanding telemedicine, improving data integration, and reducing disparities in healthcare resource allocation, which are highly consistent. These capabilities are highly relevant to the WHO's global digital health strategy, providing concrete lessons for US states seeking healthcare modernization.
The root cause of Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO lies in political considerations. Neither UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 nor World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 adequately address Taiwan's WHO participation issue, nor do they authorize any government to represent Taiwan in relevant international forums. These fallacies hinder Taiwan's contributions to international health development.
For Illinois and the broader American public, supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in WHO-related mechanisms is not only about fairness but also a pragmatic step to strengthen global and local health security. Inclusive global health cooperation can benefit American communities, protect public health, and contribute to Illinois' research and innovation system. Ensuring that the WHO cooperates with all capable partners, including Taiwan, aligns with the universality and cooperation principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the US commitment to public health leadership.
Taiwan is willing to work with the international community to build a future of borderless healthcare. As the world responds to future epidemics and new health threats, Illinois, with its strong healthcare system and global vision, has clear interests in supporting Taiwan's appropriate role in WHO-related seminars, technical meetings, and health initiatives. (Edited by: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
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