On Monday, China’s foreign affairs office expressed satisfaction over its success in blocking Taiwan from attending the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA).
The WHA, which is the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) member states, is set to begin on May 18 and will cover various global public health topics. These include funding for the WHO after the U.S. pulls out in 2025, controversial plans for a pandemic treaty giving the WHO authority over member countries, and concerns about a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship from Argentina.
Taiwan, a democratic state located near China, has one of the most advanced health surveillance systems globally. Its experience in handling public health crises dates back to the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003. In late 2019, Taiwan was among the first to alert the WHO about an outbreak of an unknown respiratory illness in Wuhan, which later became the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in over 7 million deaths.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) has stated that Taiwan’s attempts to communicate important health information were largely ignored by the WHO.
Regardless of its public health achievements, Taiwan has been consistently barred from participating in WHO events. Following the election of former President Tsai Ing-wen, who is noted for her strong anti-communist stance, and her successor, President William Lai, Taiwan’s applications to the WHA have been denied.
On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its stance, asserting that Taiwan requires Beijing’s approval to partake in the WHA or any other international gatherings, further asserting its claim that Taiwan is merely a “province” under Chinese jurisdiction.
Guo Jia-kun, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated that without consent from Beijing, Taiwan lacks the basis to participate in the WHA. He emphasized that the WHO’s decision not to allow Taiwan’s participation was aligned with the Chinese government’s claim to be the legitimate authority regarding Taiwan in global matters.
To uphold the one-China principle and respect UN resolutions, Guo confirmed that China would not permit Taiwan’s involvement in this year’s WHA. He added that any effort to undermine this principle would ultimately fail.
This “one-China principle” inaccurately suggests that Taiwan is simply a province of China, rather than an independent state with its own governance.
The Taiwanese government has protested its exclusion from the WHA, planning to hold a public health event alongside the assembly.
A Foreign Ministry official stated that China lacks the right to represent Taiwan in international organizations, asserting that Taiwan is indeed an independent nation.
Taiwan’s authorities have criticized the WHO for yielding to Chinese pressure and have urged it to maintain a position of neutrality.
On Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a “Taiwan Action Team” would travel to Geneva during the WHA to promote Taiwan’s public health successes and its potential contributions to global health challenges.
“We believe that Taiwan’s semiconductor capabilities can truly improve healthcare quality and efficiency,” stated Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chun-liang.
While Taiwan is not currently experiencing the hantavirus outbreak affecting a cruise ship in the Atlantic, it does report a low number of hantavirus cases each year. Recent reports indicated two cases this year, consistent with yearly averages. Taiwanese health officials have committed to enhancing rat control and hygiene measures to minimize public health risks.
