Minister Shih Chung-liang Reports Suspected Chinese Surveillance, Pressure at WHA Sidelines
On May 19th, Taiwan's Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chung-liang stated that although Taiwan was excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) for the 10th consecutive year, its delegation remains active in sideline events in Geneva. He noted suspected surveillance by Chinese individuals during a walkathon and a significant drop in attendance from allied nations at a civil society event, attributing these to pressure from Beijing. Despite these challenges, Taiwan hosted four professional forums to share its achievements in areas like smart healthcare and cancer prevention, engaging with international representatives through various formats.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 20:21
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 20:32 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 20:48 (16 min after Collected)
As the World Health Assembly (WHA) convenes, Taiwan has been denied an invitation for the 10th consecutive year. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said that during a walkathon held this year, individuals suspected to be from China were seen monitoring the Taiwanese delegation's activities. He also noted that a significant decrease in attendance from allied nations at a civil society event was likely related to pressure from the Chinese side.
The World Health Organization (WHO) once again rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate in the annual WHA on May 18. Shih, leading the "WHA Action Team" in Geneva, told Taiwanese media via a video link on the evening of the 19th that he had formally submitted a protest letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging the organization to include Taiwan and allow it to participate in the WHA as an observer.
When asked by the media if he felt significant pressure from China during this year's WHA, Shih replied, "It's not entirely true to say there was no pressure at all." He explained that while many countries expressed support for Taiwan's participation in the WHA during interactions with like-minded nations, pressure from China could still be felt in private exchanges.
As an example, he mentioned the walkathon, where individuals suspected to be from China appeared to be monitoring the Taiwanese delegation. Furthermore, the "Taiwan Night" event, historically organized by the Taiwan Medical Association and attended by representatives from allied countries and international groups, saw a noticeable drop in attendance this year, which he suggested was somewhat related to Chinese pressure.
Additionally, regarding the first-ever official absence of the United States from WHA sideline events, Shih stated that although no officials from U.S. health departments attended, Taiwan continued to engage with many other countries. He said that bilateral forums from previous years were not significantly affected, and Taiwan actively participated in relevant technical meetings and side forums.
He stated that Taiwan has been more proactive this year in demonstrating its capabilities and contributions to global public health, hosting a total of four professional forums on topics including medical resilience, smart healthcare, cancer prevention, and hepatitis C prevention. These events served to share Taiwan's experience with the international community, facilitate learning and exchange with experts from various countries, and show Taiwan's willingness to share global public health responsibilities and its professional expertise.
Shih pointed out that the burden of cancer treatment is a heavy challenge for many countries, and screening policy is key. "If you don't know how to do (cancer screening), just look at Taiwan," an international expert said during the cancer prevention forum, signifying that Taiwan's performance in cancer prevention is outstanding and a global model that can greatly contribute to global health progress.
A smart healthcare exhibition was set up alongside the professional forums. Shih noted that many people visited, with numerous inquiries about cooperation, learning opportunities, and even placing orders. This demonstrates that Taiwan not only excels in the chip industry but also applies technology to healthcare, improving medical quality and efficiency and achieving universal health coverage.
Shih mentioned that this year's engagement methods differed from the past. Besides continuing with formal bilateral forums in meeting rooms, Taiwan also interacted with health officials and representatives from various countries through diverse formats such as side forums, professional events, and banquets. He explained that traditional bilateral talks are often limited by fixed schedules and countries' itineraries. This year, a more flexible and diverse approach was adopted, moving beyond formal meetings to deepen interaction and cooperation in various event settings.
The World Health Organization (WHO) once again rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate in the annual WHA on May 18. Shih, leading the "WHA Action Team" in Geneva, told Taiwanese media via a video link on the evening of the 19th that he had formally submitted a protest letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging the organization to include Taiwan and allow it to participate in the WHA as an observer.
When asked by the media if he felt significant pressure from China during this year's WHA, Shih replied, "It's not entirely true to say there was no pressure at all." He explained that while many countries expressed support for Taiwan's participation in the WHA during interactions with like-minded nations, pressure from China could still be felt in private exchanges.
As an example, he mentioned the walkathon, where individuals suspected to be from China appeared to be monitoring the Taiwanese delegation. Furthermore, the "Taiwan Night" event, historically organized by the Taiwan Medical Association and attended by representatives from allied countries and international groups, saw a noticeable drop in attendance this year, which he suggested was somewhat related to Chinese pressure.
Additionally, regarding the first-ever official absence of the United States from WHA sideline events, Shih stated that although no officials from U.S. health departments attended, Taiwan continued to engage with many other countries. He said that bilateral forums from previous years were not significantly affected, and Taiwan actively participated in relevant technical meetings and side forums.
He stated that Taiwan has been more proactive this year in demonstrating its capabilities and contributions to global public health, hosting a total of four professional forums on topics including medical resilience, smart healthcare, cancer prevention, and hepatitis C prevention. These events served to share Taiwan's experience with the international community, facilitate learning and exchange with experts from various countries, and show Taiwan's willingness to share global public health responsibilities and its professional expertise.
Shih pointed out that the burden of cancer treatment is a heavy challenge for many countries, and screening policy is key. "If you don't know how to do (cancer screening), just look at Taiwan," an international expert said during the cancer prevention forum, signifying that Taiwan's performance in cancer prevention is outstanding and a global model that can greatly contribute to global health progress.
A smart healthcare exhibition was set up alongside the professional forums. Shih noted that many people visited, with numerous inquiries about cooperation, learning opportunities, and even placing orders. This demonstrates that Taiwan not only excels in the chip industry but also applies technology to healthcare, improving medical quality and efficiency and achieving universal health coverage.
Shih mentioned that this year's engagement methods differed from the past. Besides continuing with formal bilateral forums in meeting rooms, Taiwan also interacted with health officials and representatives from various countries through diverse formats such as side forums, professional events, and banquets. He explained that traditional bilateral talks are often limited by fixed schedules and countries' itineraries. This year, a more flexible and diverse approach was adopted, moving beyond formal meetings to deepen interaction and cooperation in various event settings.