Print

Mail

wiki links

Beijing has misled the WHO, health minister declares

Beijing misled World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Lee Jong-wook when explaining Taiwan's bid to join the organization earlier this year, Department of Health Director-General Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said yesterday.

Lee, in his meeting with Chinese Vice Health Minister Gao Qiang (高強) in Beijing Monday, said it would be impossible for Taiwan to become an observer or a member of the WHO.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Lee as saying: "China is one of the WHO's most important member states. Taiwan will never become a WHO member or observer."

According to WHO regulations, the health body receives entrance applications from all countries. However, Lee noted the organization's membership is open only to "states," without elaborating whether he thought Taiwan was a state.

The government here has been actively preparing for the country's eighth application for observer status in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO's top decision-making body, which will take place from May 17 to May 22 in Geneva.

Responding to Lee's public opposition to Taiwan's bid, Chen, who will lead Taiwan's delegation to Geneva for the assembly, appealed for Lee to understand the Taiwanese people's earnest wish to join the WHO.

Chen rebuked Gao's remarks during his meeting with Lee that Taiwan's application to join the world body was only its "political effort" of gaining international recognition for its national status.

Regarding Lee's statement that WHO membership and observer status are open only to "states," Chen pointed out the world body already has several non-state observers.

Taiwan will be applying to become an observer in the WHA as a "health entity" rather than a state this year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Gao also told Lee that Taiwan has no difficulties obtaining medical information from the WHO. What Gao told Lee was "far from the truth," said Chen, mentioning Taiwan's ordeals in fighting against the SARS outbreak last year before the WHO sent experts here.

"We hope the international community can understand that Taiwan is not applying for WHA observer status for political purposes. We simply wish Taiwan's 23 million people's health could be taken care of as that of citizens in WHO member states," said Chen.

The US, which has backed Taiwan on the health issue, will lend more support to Taiwan's health bid in the WHA this year, said Chen. He declined to reveal what the US delegation is prepared to do for Taiwan in Geneva.

MOFA also pledged to continue its efforts to enter the WHO despite Lee's attitude.

Ministry spokesman Richard Shih (石瑞琦) said: "The Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country. Joining the WHO is the common wish of all political parties and all people in Taiwan."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) told legislators the US and Japan will give Taiwan more backing for its health bid this year and said Taiwan stands a greater chance to join the WHO.
This story has been viewed 2267 times.