Proposal for Taiwan to Join WHA as Observer Rejected|友邦挺台參與WHA案 遭中國強勢否決
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The 2018 World Health Assembly kicked off on May 21 in Geneva, Switzerland. 15 of Taiwan's allies proposed that Taiwan be allowed to participate in the WHA as an observer. The WHA committee debated the issue but China's opposition led to its failure to make the WHA agenda. Three of Taiwan's allies - Nicaragua, Honduras and Palau - did not sign the proposal. But the foreign ministry said they are supporting Taiwan in other ways.
The 2018 World Health Assembly began in Geneva, Switzerland on May 21. Taiwan did not receive an invitation to attend this year's WHA, but 15 of its diplomatic allies submitted a proposal calling for Taiwan to participate in the assembly as an observer. A two-on-two debate was held at the WHA General Committee and also during the WHA plenary session. The Kingdom of eSwatini, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines spoke in favor of Taiwan, while China's representative reiterated the one China principle.
The Democratic Progressive Party has stubbornly insisted on Taiwan independence since taking power. It refuses to recognize that both sides of the strait belong to one China. Taiwan has no political basis to take part in the World Health Assembly. Taiwan's attempt to use a small number of countries to launch a proposal exceeds the boundaries of the United Nations and World Health Organization's basic legal documents.
China added it doesn't believe Taiwan's non-participation in the WHA will create any gap in disease prevention, and called for Taiwan to be excluded from the WHA. Following this argument, the assembly president recommended that the proposal not be included on the agenda, leading to protests from Taiwan's diplomatic allies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The political differences between the two sides of the strait should not affect the need to ensure and prioritize the health and well-being of the world's people. We believe the WHO should not be subject to political interference, and Taiwan should be invited to take part in the World Health Assembly due to the consideration of health.
Only 15 of the Republic of China's 19 diplomatic allies signed the proposal. The Holy See does not enter into political issues, so its absence was expected. The three other non-signatories were Honduras, Guatemala and Palau, which spoke in favor of Taiwan last year. The ministry claimed Honduras and Palau did not take part due to administrative factors, but have sent letters in support of Taiwan to the World Health Organization director-general. Meanwhile, Guatemala is supporting Taiwan in other ways.
