In response to a statement by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) to the effect that China might relent from obstructing Taiwan’s WHO membership bid, a group of pro-independence activists on Tuesday questioned Beijing’s sincerity and predicted that next year’s application would also be rejected.
The group called on President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) not to drop the name “Taiwan” from the WHO application as it would help neither the chances of acceptance nor the nation’s dignity.
Ma has indicated that his administration may file next year’s WHO application under the name “Chinese Taipei,” which he has said would be the most appropriate option.
Representatives of the pro-independence Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan expressed concern that the president was too eager to see Beijing’s goodwill gestures as sincere.
During their meeting in Beijing last week, Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) told Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) that the issue of Taiwan’s participation in the WHO could be a priority in future cross-strait talks.
“For me, China’s goodwill is an old trick,” foundation executive director Lin Shih-chia (林世嘉) said.
In 2005, Lin said, China made a similar show of goodwill in a statement to then-KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰), but only a few months later signed a memorandum of understanding with the WHO Secretariat to further hinder Taiwan’s participation in the organization.
In a survey conducted by the foundation, Lin said that 80 percent of respondents said they would prefer that the government file the application under the name “Taiwan.”
Supporters of Ma do not necessarily agree with all of his views, she said, adding that “Taiwan” is the best name to use on the application.
The foundation has campaigned for Taiwan’s participation at the WHO for 12 years.
Wu Yung-tung (吳運東), a former president of the Taiwan Medical Association, said the government should proceed with caution and remember that the name the nation uses at international organizations is also a matter of dignity.
Wu said it might be possible to join the WHO under the name “Chinese Taipei,” but that the government should consider the potential negative effects down the line.
If Taiwan joins the WHO as “Chinese Taipei,” that could restrict it to the name at other international activities, he said.
The government should not make its decision on what name to use without gauging public opinion first, he said.
The government has applied for WHO membership every year since 1997.
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