Taiwan Supporters Pressured at Pro-WHA Parade, Told to Hide 'TAIWAN' on Shirts
During the World Health Assembly (WHA), Taiwanese expatriates reported being pressured by 'WHO officials' at a parade in Geneva on May 17th supporting Taiwan's participation. Participants were allegedly told to cover the word 'TAIWAN' on their T-shirts or remove them, an act described as 'humiliating and absurd.' The incident is seen as a reflection of the broader suppression Taiwan faces on the international stage.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 23:56
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(CNA, Geneva, May 19) During the period of the World Health Assembly (WHA), Taiwan has faced suppression at both official and civilian levels. Taiwanese expatriates reported that during a parade in Geneva on the 17th to support Taiwan's participation in the WHA, they were pressured by 'WHO officials' to cover the word 'TAIWAN' on their T-shirts or take them off, which they found humiliating and absurd.
The parade to support Taiwan's WHA participation, co-organized by several groups including the Europe for Taiwan Walk Association and the Swiss Formosa Cultural Association, was held in Geneva on the 17th, with over a hundred people participating, including many international friends supporting Taiwan.
Shortly after the event, it was reported that many participants at the parade site had been pressured by 'WHO officials.'
Chuang Tan-chi, a Taiwanese expatriate in France who participated in the event, told the Central News Agency that before the parade started, 'WHO officials' came to the assembly point and were 'loud and aggressive' towards the participants. It was later understood that they were demanding the participants cover the 'TAIWAN' lettering on their T-shirts or remove the shirts.
Chuang said it was absurd that at the assembly point, where a sign read 'Who Cares, Taiwan Cares,' 'WHO officials' were demanding that participants not display the word 'TAIWAN.'
He mentioned that many parents brought their underage children to the event; having never experienced such a situation, some were even scared to tears.
Chuang stated that he was initially at a loss until his daughter asked him, 'Why do we have to cover up Taiwan?' which made him realize the unreasonableness of the situation. 'We were humiliated and suppressed. We experienced what our predecessors, athletes, and artists encounter internationally.'
He said that to avoid additional conflict and disruption to the event, they decided to comply temporarily, only revealing the 'TAIWAN' lettering after leaving the assembly area and starting the parade.
Seeing something that used to be only in the news happen to himself, Chuang believes that the experience of the parade participants is a microcosm of Taiwan's situation. The pain and frustration were particularly intense as many children were present, experiencing all of this without understanding, and he felt unable to protect his family and children. (Editor: Wei Shu)
The parade to support Taiwan's WHA participation, co-organized by several groups including the Europe for Taiwan Walk Association and the Swiss Formosa Cultural Association, was held in Geneva on the 17th, with over a hundred people participating, including many international friends supporting Taiwan.
Shortly after the event, it was reported that many participants at the parade site had been pressured by 'WHO officials.'
Chuang Tan-chi, a Taiwanese expatriate in France who participated in the event, told the Central News Agency that before the parade started, 'WHO officials' came to the assembly point and were 'loud and aggressive' towards the participants. It was later understood that they were demanding the participants cover the 'TAIWAN' lettering on their T-shirts or remove the shirts.
Chuang said it was absurd that at the assembly point, where a sign read 'Who Cares, Taiwan Cares,' 'WHO officials' were demanding that participants not display the word 'TAIWAN.'
He mentioned that many parents brought their underage children to the event; having never experienced such a situation, some were even scared to tears.
Chuang stated that he was initially at a loss until his daughter asked him, 'Why do we have to cover up Taiwan?' which made him realize the unreasonableness of the situation. 'We were humiliated and suppressed. We experienced what our predecessors, athletes, and artists encounter internationally.'
He said that to avoid additional conflict and disruption to the event, they decided to comply temporarily, only revealing the 'TAIWAN' lettering after leaving the assembly area and starting the parade.
Seeing something that used to be only in the news happen to himself, Chuang believes that the experience of the parade participants is a microcosm of Taiwan's situation. The pain and frustration were particularly intense as many children were present, experiencing all of this without understanding, and he felt unable to protect his family and children. (Editor: Wei Shu)