Eight foreign offices in Taiwan and representatives of 11 diplomatic allies expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) ahead of its opening in Geneva, Switzerland, today.
In a joint statement issued today, offices in Taiwan representing the UK, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan and Lithuania supported Taiwan’s “meaningful engagement” in the WHO and participation as an observer in the WHA.
“Taiwan has shown itself to be a highly capable, engaged and responsible member of the global health community,” and was invited as an observer at the WHA from 2009 to 2016, the statement said.
Photo: CNA
“Taiwan’s distinct capabilities and methods ... bring considerable value that would inform the WHA’s deliberations,” it said, calling its isolation unjustified and harmful to public health coooperation and security.
“Only by including Taiwan as an observer would the WHO be able to fully exemplify the Health Assembly’s commitment to ‘One World for Health,’” it added.
The statement followed a reception hosted by Taiwan last night in Geneva attended by representatives from 11 allied nations — with the exception of the Vatican — as well as diplomatic and public health officials from countries without diplomatic ties.
The Holy See is an observer, not a member, of the UN and rarely speaks on political issues during UN-related meetings.
The representatives took to the stage to express their continued support of Taiwan’s accession to international organizations.
Haiti last week attended the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States forum in Shanghai, drawing scrutiny due to the nation’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Saint Lucia, another diplomatic ally, also attended the Shanghai forum, although in a party capacity and not a governmental capacity.
However, at yesterday’s reception, Haitian Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal expressed his hopes for continued friendly relations with Taiwan.
“The ties between our nations have lasted over half a century. These relations have only grown stronger through our solidarity over the years,” he said.
Haiti also recently sent a public health delegation to Taiwan, which was impressed by its advanced technology, particularly in the field of digital health, Sinal said.
He expressed his gratitude for Taiwan’s support during Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010, including assistance in operating the national ambulance service and building health infrastructure.
Taiwan and Haiti share values and principles such as self-determination, mutual respect, solidarity and loyalty, he added.
Palauan Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services Raynold Arnold Oilouch also expressed his deep gratitude to the Taiwanese government for its assistance in establishing basic healthcare, and stated Palau’s trust, admiration and respect for the Taiwanese people.
“I stand here today to affirm our commitment to you, our friends, that we will continue to do everything we can, in every WHA each year, to ensure that one day Taiwan will finally be given its place in the assembly,” he said.
Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Cheng-hsu (王正旭), speaking on behalf of cross-party legislators, also called on the international community to continue to support Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA.
The Chinese military has built landing bridge ships designed to expand its amphibious options for a potential assault on Taiwan, but their combat effectiveness is limited due to their high vulnerability, a defense expert said in an analysis published on Monday. Shen Ming-shih (沈明室), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that the deployment of such vessels as part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s East Sea Fleet signals a strong focus on Taiwan. However, the ships are highly vulnerable to precision strikes, which means they could be destroyed before they achieve their intended
The Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) has funded short-term internships in Taiwan for more than 4,500 young people from more than 40 countries since 2015, with the goal of attracting and retaining international talent, the Ministry of Education said yesterday. Fifty-five colleges launched 514 projects this year, including in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, medicine and biotechnology, green energy, and sustainability, it said. The program provides research and practical internships in Taiwan for two to six months, and offers cultural exchange and networking opportunities, the ministry said. For example, National Formosa University’s Embedded System and Autopilot Laboratory developed two solar-powered drones in
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
Taipei resident Mu Chu-hua caught some glimpses of China’s mighty military parade on YouTube on Wednesday. As she watched hypersonic missiles roll down Beijing’s Changan Avenue and troops march in lockstep, she did not feel like they posed a threat to Taiwan. Mu, a 69-year-old retiree, said she saw the parade as simply a way for Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to “say thank you to the troops.” “I thought it was quite normal,” she said. “It was very cool.” China’s military parade commemorating the end of World War II was being watched internationally for insights into Beijing’s military advances and its show
RSS