Good Morning World: Over 50 Countries Support Taiwan's WHA Participation; President Lai Says Taiwan Can Contribute More if Included
This news digest covers several key topics. On the diplomatic front, over 50 nations support Taiwan's participation in the WHA. In economic security, Australia has blocked Chinese-linked shareholders from the rare earths company Northern Minerals on national interest grounds, while the EU plans to reduce its supply chain reliance on China. These moves signal a significant global trend of de-risking from China, an important signal for businesses. Other news includes the reaffirmation of US policy towards Taiwan, Taiwan's drone development strategy, and the selection of the Taiwanese film 'The Dull-Ice Flower' at Cannes.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 08:48
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 09:01 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 09:04 (2 min after Collected)
Central Message: The day before the opening of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) on the 18th, at a diplomatic reception for Taiwan in Geneva, officials from allied nations spoke in turn to support Taiwan, enumerating its contributions and emphasizing that 'Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.' The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that administrative or legislative bodies from over 50 countries have shown support for Taiwan's participation in the WHA and international organizations, and 11 allies have proposed to the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat to invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer. President Lai Ching-te, in a recorded video address to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'World Health Action Team' for its global health series forum in Geneva, said that Taiwan has always actively participated in international health affairs, shared its experiences, and is committed to being a responsible and reliable partner in the global health field; if Taiwan were a member of the World Health Organization, it would contribute more to the world. (Read full report)
As the world focuses on whether US President Trump will approve a new batch of arms sales to Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan-US security cooperation and arms sales are key elements in maintaining regional peace and stability. US House Speaker Johnson said in an interview that he has seen Taiwan's statement, 'This is in our interest, just like all freedom-loving people around the world.' Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi also emphasized on the 18th that there is no change in US policy towards Taiwan, which is still based on the 'Taiwan Relations Act' and the 'Six Assurances,' and that Taiwan is the party that wants to maintain the status quo. (Read full report)
Facing the situation in the Taiwan Strait and asymmetric potential threats, Taiwan is in full swing accelerating its strategic layout of 'indigenous defense' and the 'drone national team.' Judging from the practical experience of conflicts from the Russo-Ukrainian War to recent global geopolitical clashes, Ukraine has built up its own drone industry and tactics over more than four years, and during the war with Iran, sent military personnel and drone operators to Jordan to assist in defending against Iranian attacks. The pro-Ukrainian online channel The Military Show believes that Ukraine's experience is forcing a rethink of the traditional military logic where 'industrial scale and heavy weaponry determine victory,' and will shape operational norms for decades to come. (Read full report)
Britain's 'Financial Times' reported that the European Union is drawing up plans that could force European companies to source critical components from at least three suppliers from different countries to reduce the EU's dependence on China. EU officials pointed out that the EU wants to reduce its huge trade deficit with China and protect businesses from the impact of China's 'weaponization of trade.' The Hong Kong South China Morning Post reported that when the 2026 EU-China Forum was held in Beijing on the 12th, EU and Chinese diplomats, officials, and experts in one of the forums accused each other over trade issues, leading to a fierce argument at one point. The Chinese side was accused of ignoring the trade imbalance issue, while the European side was accused of bullying by China. (Read full report)
Reuters reported that the controversy over Chinese-linked attempts to manipulate Australian rare earth developer 'Northern Minerals' has been ongoing for years. Australian Treasurer Chalmers on the 18th ordered six 'Northern Minerals' shareholders to sell their shares, citing the protection of 'national interests.' The report noted that 'Northern Minerals' is currently advancing a heavy rare earths production project in the Browns Range of Western Australia; heavy rare earths are an indispensable source of material for industries such as semiconductors and defense, and Western governments are committed to preventing the heavy rare earth industry from falling under Chinese control. 'Northern Minerals' has not yet commented on Chalmers' statement. (Read full report)
After an employee of an escape room shop in Taipei City died of suffocation while playing a hanging ghost, the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs announced on the 18th that it had inspected 34 locations from the 15th to the 17th. An additional 12 were found to have issues such as incompletely closed fire doors, faulty exit sign lights, lack of residential fire alarms and fire extinguishers, and unauthorized interior renovations. It issued 15 fines totaling NT$1.04 million, and another 9 cases not complying with land use zoning regulations were transferred to the Department of Urban Development for adjudication. The Department of Labor will also continue its investigation and will take legal action if any violations of labor laws are found. (Read full report)
To strengthen driver's license management, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications on the 18th announced related regulations. Those whose licenses have been revoked for violations and are banned from retaking the test for 3 years or more must first complete a driver training course before being able to retake the test for a new license. It is expected to be implemented on June 30 this year. The Ministry of Transportation stated that the new system is to enhance drivers' knowledge of traffic regulations, safe driving concepts, and risk identification abilities, and to perfect the integrity of the driver's license management system. (Read full report)
So-called 'skinny shots' and other GLP-1 class drugs were originally used to treat chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. After helping many people successfully lose weight and improving the health and quality of life for millions, they have gradually been packaged as a 'lifestyle solution.' However, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, an analysis published by the American Diabetes Association shows that these drugs may cause a rapid and significant loss of muscle mass, up to 10%, which is equivalent to the body's function aging by more than a decade. This could trigger side effects such as frailty and decreased metabolism, and the academic community is concerned it may trigger a 'frailty crisis.' (Read full report)
China's 'scar literature,' a genre that exposes the various pains such as distorted humanity and family tragedies brought about by the Cultural Revolution, is an alternative historical source for understanding the history of the Cultural Revolution. This literary genre began with the short story 'The Scar,' created by Lu Xinhua in 1978, which caused a sensation at Fudan University in Shanghai. After revisions, it was published in the supplement of Wenhui Bao, and letters from readers across China flew like snowflakes to the Chinese Department of Fudan University. Scar literature focused its firepower on exposing the disasters of the Cultural Revolution, but it gradually faded away in an atmosphere where Chinese society could not escape the shackles and shadow of ideology. (Read full report)
To promote world film heritage, the Cannes Film Festival established the non-competitive 'Cannes Classics' section more than 20 years ago. This year, it selected the Taiwanese national film 'The Dull-Ice Flower' for its world premiere at Cannes in a new digitally restored version. Chu Ming-jen, chairman of the National Film and Audiovisual Culture Center, said that being recognized by the Cannes Film Festival this time is a great stimulant for the restoration, preservation, and promotion of Taiwanese cinema. He thanked the center's staff for restoring the film so well, and also thanked the international cooperation team for developing new discoveries for the jury about Taiwanese cinema, stating that 'international marketing' is an important part of film restoration work. Chu Ming-jen said that restoring and re-releasing classic films is not for nostalgia, but 'to let new generations understand our past through film, because only by knowing your land will you love it.' (Read full report)
As the world focuses on whether US President Trump will approve a new batch of arms sales to Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan-US security cooperation and arms sales are key elements in maintaining regional peace and stability. US House Speaker Johnson said in an interview that he has seen Taiwan's statement, 'This is in our interest, just like all freedom-loving people around the world.' Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi also emphasized on the 18th that there is no change in US policy towards Taiwan, which is still based on the 'Taiwan Relations Act' and the 'Six Assurances,' and that Taiwan is the party that wants to maintain the status quo. (Read full report)
Facing the situation in the Taiwan Strait and asymmetric potential threats, Taiwan is in full swing accelerating its strategic layout of 'indigenous defense' and the 'drone national team.' Judging from the practical experience of conflicts from the Russo-Ukrainian War to recent global geopolitical clashes, Ukraine has built up its own drone industry and tactics over more than four years, and during the war with Iran, sent military personnel and drone operators to Jordan to assist in defending against Iranian attacks. The pro-Ukrainian online channel The Military Show believes that Ukraine's experience is forcing a rethink of the traditional military logic where 'industrial scale and heavy weaponry determine victory,' and will shape operational norms for decades to come. (Read full report)
Britain's 'Financial Times' reported that the European Union is drawing up plans that could force European companies to source critical components from at least three suppliers from different countries to reduce the EU's dependence on China. EU officials pointed out that the EU wants to reduce its huge trade deficit with China and protect businesses from the impact of China's 'weaponization of trade.' The Hong Kong South China Morning Post reported that when the 2026 EU-China Forum was held in Beijing on the 12th, EU and Chinese diplomats, officials, and experts in one of the forums accused each other over trade issues, leading to a fierce argument at one point. The Chinese side was accused of ignoring the trade imbalance issue, while the European side was accused of bullying by China. (Read full report)
Reuters reported that the controversy over Chinese-linked attempts to manipulate Australian rare earth developer 'Northern Minerals' has been ongoing for years. Australian Treasurer Chalmers on the 18th ordered six 'Northern Minerals' shareholders to sell their shares, citing the protection of 'national interests.' The report noted that 'Northern Minerals' is currently advancing a heavy rare earths production project in the Browns Range of Western Australia; heavy rare earths are an indispensable source of material for industries such as semiconductors and defense, and Western governments are committed to preventing the heavy rare earth industry from falling under Chinese control. 'Northern Minerals' has not yet commented on Chalmers' statement. (Read full report)
After an employee of an escape room shop in Taipei City died of suffocation while playing a hanging ghost, the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs announced on the 18th that it had inspected 34 locations from the 15th to the 17th. An additional 12 were found to have issues such as incompletely closed fire doors, faulty exit sign lights, lack of residential fire alarms and fire extinguishers, and unauthorized interior renovations. It issued 15 fines totaling NT$1.04 million, and another 9 cases not complying with land use zoning regulations were transferred to the Department of Urban Development for adjudication. The Department of Labor will also continue its investigation and will take legal action if any violations of labor laws are found. (Read full report)
To strengthen driver's license management, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications on the 18th announced related regulations. Those whose licenses have been revoked for violations and are banned from retaking the test for 3 years or more must first complete a driver training course before being able to retake the test for a new license. It is expected to be implemented on June 30 this year. The Ministry of Transportation stated that the new system is to enhance drivers' knowledge of traffic regulations, safe driving concepts, and risk identification abilities, and to perfect the integrity of the driver's license management system. (Read full report)
So-called 'skinny shots' and other GLP-1 class drugs were originally used to treat chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. After helping many people successfully lose weight and improving the health and quality of life for millions, they have gradually been packaged as a 'lifestyle solution.' However, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, an analysis published by the American Diabetes Association shows that these drugs may cause a rapid and significant loss of muscle mass, up to 10%, which is equivalent to the body's function aging by more than a decade. This could trigger side effects such as frailty and decreased metabolism, and the academic community is concerned it may trigger a 'frailty crisis.' (Read full report)
China's 'scar literature,' a genre that exposes the various pains such as distorted humanity and family tragedies brought about by the Cultural Revolution, is an alternative historical source for understanding the history of the Cultural Revolution. This literary genre began with the short story 'The Scar,' created by Lu Xinhua in 1978, which caused a sensation at Fudan University in Shanghai. After revisions, it was published in the supplement of Wenhui Bao, and letters from readers across China flew like snowflakes to the Chinese Department of Fudan University. Scar literature focused its firepower on exposing the disasters of the Cultural Revolution, but it gradually faded away in an atmosphere where Chinese society could not escape the shackles and shadow of ideology. (Read full report)
To promote world film heritage, the Cannes Film Festival established the non-competitive 'Cannes Classics' section more than 20 years ago. This year, it selected the Taiwanese national film 'The Dull-Ice Flower' for its world premiere at Cannes in a new digitally restored version. Chu Ming-jen, chairman of the National Film and Audiovisual Culture Center, said that being recognized by the Cannes Film Festival this time is a great stimulant for the restoration, preservation, and promotion of Taiwanese cinema. He thanked the center's staff for restoring the film so well, and also thanked the international cooperation team for developing new discoveries for the jury about Taiwanese cinema, stating that 'international marketing' is an important part of film restoration work. Chu Ming-jen said that restoring and re-releasing classic films is not for nostalgia, but 'to let new generations understand our past through film, because only by knowing your land will you love it.' (Read full report)