The US on Monday said it is pleased to see Taiwan has received an invitation to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA), but avoided commenting on the WHO’s mention of the “one China” principle in the invitation letter.
US Department of State Office of Press Relations director Elizabeth Trudeau reiterated US support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA when asked about the WHO’s invitation.
“We are pleased that Taiwan has received an invitation to this year’s World Health Assembly taking place May 23 through 28,” Trudeau said.
Taiwan has participated as an observer in the WHA for the past seven years, she said, adding that the US “strongly supports such WHA participation and Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the work of the World Health Organization-related activities.”
“Taiwan has made important contributions to global health, and its participation in the WHA and in the work of the WHO contributes to a safer, healthier world,” she said.
Asked about the mention of the “one China” principle in the invitation, Trudeau said the US remains committed to its “one China” policy based on the Three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, but she did not comment further.
Responding to an e-mail on the WHA invitation, US Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen said the future of cross-strait relations is for the people of both sides of the Taiwan Strait to decide.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
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