Taiwanese Protestors Heading to WHA|我未獲邀WHA 民間WHO宣達團將聲援

A Taiwan-UN Alliance group will head to Geneva to protest the fact that Taiwan did not receive an invitation to the World Health Assembly this year. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says he doesn't believe China will suppress Taiwan's protests because Switzerland is a democratic country.


The 71st World Health Assembly will convene in Geneva on the 21st. Taiwan was not invited, and a group from Taiwan will be heading to Geneva on the 19th to protest. The group is calling on the legislature to pass a resolution and says President Tsai Ing-wen should hold an international press conference.

We call on President Tsai Ing-wen to hold an international press conference in these next few days. The Legislative Yuan should also pass a strong, resolute (resolution) supporting Taiwan's participation in the WHA as an observer and Taiwan's future participation in the WHO.

Taiwan-UN Alliance Chair Cai Ming-xian says promotional literature advocating Taiwan's membership in the WHA has been printed in four languages for distribution in Geneva. Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung, who is also heading to Geneva, will submit a protest letter and lead a protest outside the assembly venue.

We hope our continued hard work will result in more recognition for Taiwan. Our protest outside the venue this time - if we can hold a successful forum and it can demonstrate Taiwan's soft power, that would be the best remedy.

Chen says he is not worried China will try to suppress the protest because Switzerland is a democratic country and Taiwan's right to protest outside the venue is protected. The ministry hopes foreign officials will agree to meet with Taiwanese officials and agree to "concrete bilateral plans" in Geneva.