Although Taiwan's strategy for the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May has yet to be determined pending today's presidential election, China has taken preemptive action by requesting delegations to the WHO in Geneva to join its effort to block any attempt by Taiwan to seek membership.
In a letter dated earlier this month, Chinese Ambassador to the UN in Geneva Li Baodong (
He then said that in order to prevent the 61st session of the WHA from "being victimized by politicization," China was inviting other countries to sign a letter to WHO Director-General Margaret Chan (
The annually WHA is the WHO's highest decision-making body. This year it is scheduled to meet from May 19 to May 24.
In the letter to Chan, China claims that Taiwan-related issues "have no relevance to international public health policies."
Taiwan has been trying to become a WHA observer since 1997 on the grounds that the WHO Charter states that "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being," and that disease knows no boundaries.
China calls the moves "attempts to politicize the work of the WHO and distract it from its pressing agenda."
Li's letter describes Taiwan as an indivisible part of China and says that the issue has been settled by resolutions of the UN General Assembly as well as the WHA -- claims that Taiwan denies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently condemned Beijing yesterday for its attempt to block all Taiwan-related issues from being mentioned in the WHA, and said it would keep close tabs on the situation.
"China's action not only violates international practice, but robs the WHO member-states of the right to propose a resolution," ministry spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh (
Last year was the first time that the government applied for membership in the WHO under the name "Taiwan," rather than applying for observer status in the WHA as "Republic of China" as it has done in the past.
The resolution to add the Taiwan bid to the WHA agenda was rejected by a vote of 148-17.
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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