Mon, Sep 13, 2021 page2

• The UN needs Taiwan: US groups

  • By Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writer, with CNA
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  Taiwanese-American organizations in California last week issued joint statements calling for Taiwan’s participation in the UN ahead of its General Assembly, which begins tomorrow, saying that the nation is ready to make concrete contributions to international affairs.

  Representatives from nearly 50 organizations on Thursday gathered at the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Los Angeles to issue a statement, followed the day after by a similar statement issued by six organizations in San Francisco’s South Bay.

  Taiwan’s outstanding epidemic preparedness from last year, paired with its ability to meet the needs of the global supply chain, demonstrates that “Taiwan can help and is ready to help,” the Southern Californian groups said.

  

  Yan Shu-jung, director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco’s Culture Center, front row second right, Taiwanese American Center of Northern California director Eugene Yeh, front row third right, and Taiwanese US residents hold signs urging the UN to allow Taiwan’s participation in its activities, at a news conference at the Taiwanese American Center of Northern California in San Jose, California, on Saturday.

  Photo courtesy of the Taiwanese American Center of Northern California via CNA

  “Now is the time for the UN to accept Taiwan and for Taiwan to make a contribution,” they added.

  Taiwan is a force for good in the world, TECO in Los Angeles Director-General Louis Huang (黃敏境) said.

  Its success in combating the COVID-19 pandemic at home, while also providing medical supplies and masks to the rest of the world especially shows the nation’s ability to make significant contributions on the international stage, he said, adding that Taiwan’s exclusion from the UN is a loss for the world.

  Just up the coast on Friday last week, representatives from six San Francisco Bay Area organizations also arranged a joint news conference to call for Taiwan’s participation in the UN.

  “Not only does Taiwan need the UN, but the UN needs Taiwan, too,” the groups said, adding that the nation’s excellence in technology, healthcare and soft power, as well as its global trade status, can help the global organization.

  More countries and individuals are supporting Taiwan’s participation in the UN, said Yan Shu-jung (閻樹榮), director of TECO in San Francisco’s Culture Center.

  However, the nation would not be discouraged if it cannot participate, and would continue to strive for international support through the help of its global allies and overseas communities, Yan added.

  Representatives from eight Taiwanese expat community organizations in Northern California on Saturday issued a similar call at a news conference in San Jose.

  Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said that, starting tomorrow, TECO in New York plans to launch a series of publicity campaigns to share Taiwan’s contributions to post-pandemic recovery and its desire to participate in the UN.

  On the opening day of the assembly, the office plans to launch its campaign through the Web site GiveTaiwanAVoice.com.

  Themed around sky lanterns, the campaign aims to represent how “hope soars when we all listen” in response to this year’s General Assembly theme of “building resilience through hope.”

  The public is invited to release their own digital “sky lanterns” on social media with messages of support for Taiwan with the hashtag #HearTaiwan.

  The 76th UN General Assembly in New York is to focus on COVID-19 recovery, sustainable reconstruction, responding to global needs, respecting human rights and revitalizing the UN.

  The General Debate is to take place from Tuesday next week to Sept. 27.

  Additional reporting by Wu Su-wei

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