WHA Convenes; Over 50 Countries' Executive or Legislative Branches Support Taiwan's Participation, MOFA Says

(CNA, Taipei, by reporter Yang Yao-ju, May 18) With the World Health Assembly (WHA) convening in Geneva, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated today that executive or legislative branches from over 50 countries have demonstrated firm support for Taiwan's participation in the WHA and international organizations. Eleven of Taiwan's allies have submitted a proposal to the WHO Secretariat to invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer. MOFA reiterated that the WHO Secretariat should strictly adhere to professionalism and neutrality and reject China's political interference. In a press release this afternoon, MOFA noted that the 79th WHA convened in Geneva on May 18. Through the continuous efforts of MOFA and related overseas missions, over 50 countries' executive or legislative departments have shown strong support for Taiwan's participation. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed his sincere gratitude for this. MOFA explained that 11 of Taiwan's allies who are members of the World Health Organization (WHO) submitted a proposal titled "Inviting Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly as an observer" to the WHO Secretariat, requesting it be listed as a supplementary item on this WHA's agenda. Parliaments of allies like Guatemala and Saint Kitts and Nevis have also continued to voice support for Taiwan's international participation through various means, such as passing pro-Taiwan resolutions. Lin Chia-lung and Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang also took the opportunity at a banquet for allied delegations in Geneva on the 6th and a diplomatic reception on the 17th to thank allied nations for their long-standing, strong support for Taiwan's WHA case, ensuring Taiwan's voice is heard worldwide. MOFA stated that support from like-minded countries is also increasing. The UK Foreign Office continues to express support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, in a written response to a parliamentary inquiry, reiterated that the Swedish government strongly supports Taiwan's meaningful international participation and that Sweden and other like-minded countries have jointly approached the WHO Secretariat in various ways, urging the WHO to invite Taiwan as an observer. The EU has also publicly stated that Taiwan should be allowed to participate in the international system where consistent with organizational rules or practices, and in response to China's use of the "One China Principle" to oppose Taiwan's participation in this year's WHA, stated that the "One China Principle" lacks international consensus and that the EU has not recognized or adopted it. Furthermore, although the United States officially withdrew from the WHO in January of this year, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Michael Waltz, when invited to a U.S. congressional hearing, firmly stated that the U.S. supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and opposes China's deliberate misuse and misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. The U.S. State Department has also expressed support for Taiwan's meaningful participation, emphasizing that Taiwan has the expertise and resources to address today's toughest global challenges, from which the world can benefit. MOFA also mentioned that parliamentarians from friendly countries, international medical groups like the World Medical Association (WMA), and non-governmental organizations have been calling for global action to support Taiwan's participation through various means, such as individual or joint letters to the WHO Director-General and social media campaigns. They urge the WHO Director-General to uphold the principle of leaving no one behind and promptly invite Taiwan to attend the WHA as an observer, as global health security can only be complete with Taiwan's inclusion. MOFA reiterated that UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 do not mention Taiwan and cannot be used to exclude Taiwan from the UN system and other international organizations. The WHO Secretariat should strictly adhere to professionalism and neutrality, reject China's political interference, and invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA and WHO technical meetings, mechanisms, and activities to contribute to global public health and deepen global health cooperation. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150518