Taiwan for the first time is to apply for observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA) as a "health entity" in what officials termed a move to mitigate opposition from China and other countries in the country's sixth annual bid to join the WHO.
But the nation would formally apply under the name of "Taiwan," officials said, a move that apparently changed the policy of previous applications since 1997, when the country applied under its formal designation of Republic of China.
"We aspire to take part in the World Health Organization not because we intend to confront China, nor to move towards Taiwan independence. It's based on the basic rights and welfare of the people of Taiwan in the health arena," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新).
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Taiwan decided to put forward the new concept of "health entity" to describe its capacity in joining the WHA, with an emphasis on the "functionality" of the organization, said Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Kau (高英茂).
"We've been quite pragmatic and flexible by applying under the concept of `health entity,'" Kau said.
"It is also a gesture of good will to the People's Republic of China. Both sides can enhance their cooperation in cross-border health issues under the WHO," Kau said, urging Beijing to adopt "an open, flexible and pragmatic approach" to Taipei's WHO bid.
Department of Health Director-General Lee Ming-liang (李明亮) said: "Our appeal by terming ourselves as a `health entity' is to put aside the sovereignty dispute, but this move is not to deny our own sovereignty."
As the WHA, the highest decision-making body of the WHO, is slated to be held in Geneva from May 13 to 18, the foreign ministry and the Department of Health yesterday held a joint press conference to raise the profile of Taipei's ongoing efforts in its bid.
The government also during the press conference formally released its position paper on the new concept of "health entity" in its WHO bid.
"Taiwan should be allowed to participate in the WHO as a health entity. Participation in the WHO is not a question of sovereignty. The WHO is the only global forum that coordinates the activities of health entities to ensure that all peoples around the world realize their inalienable human right to the highest level," the position paper said.
"To achieve this laudable objective, the WHO must include all health entities representing substantial populations, and must not exclude any segment of the world's people," the paper said.
But Taipei's decision to formally apply under the name of "Taiwan" raised some misgivings during the press briefing.
"In participating in international organizations, the best option for us is to join under the name of the ROC. But in reality China simply could not coexist with us, so China found the appellation `ROC' unacceptable," Kau said.
With regards to the prospects of success during the Geneva meeting, an official said: "By raising the new concept of `health entity,' we hope the discussion on Taiwan's case can move onto a different plateau.'
"We've made some progress, and we hope to build up the momentum," the official added.
Membership of the WHO, as an UN-affiliated agency, is limited to sovereign states, according to the WHO constitution. But the procedural rules of the WHA does not specify qualifications for its observers.
Taiwan would need the support of at least half the body's 191 members for its bid to become a WHA observer.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS