Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (left) meets with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar, who was joined by officials from 17 diplomatic allies, five other like-minded countries and an observer organization in expressing support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the 71st WHA, on the sidelines of the assembly May 24 in Geneva. (CNA)

A total of 17 diplomatic allies, six like-minded countries and an observer organization issued direct and indirect statements of support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the 71st World Health Assembly during their addresses at the annual meeting running May 21-26 in Geneva.
 
Livestreams of these calls for justice have enabled people around the world to witness the solemn backing for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said May 24. The nation will continue to take a constructive, pragmatic and professional approach in advancing cooperation with international partners so as to strengthen global health security, the MOFA added.
 
The expressions of support were delivered by diplomatic allies Belize, El Salvador, Kingdom of Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, as well as like-minded countries Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S.
 
Observer group the Sovereign Military Order of Malta also spoke out for Taiwan for the first time by referring to international medical cooperation projects between the two sides.
 
In addition, during a two-on-two debate at the WHA General Committee, Eswatini and Solomon Islands argued for a proposal urging the World Health Organization to invite Taiwan as an observer, with China and Cuba protesting the measure. The motion was raised again at the WHA plenary session, where the Marshall Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines expressed support and China and Pakistan voiced opposition.
 
During the latter debate, China’s delegate made false claims that Taiwan has full access to disease prevention information and is represented at the majority of WHO technical meetings.
 
Taiwan is outraged by China’s flagrant lies at the world’s most prestigious health forum and condemns its repeated attempts to deceive the WHA and international community, the MOFA said. Only the democratically elected government of Taiwan can represent its 23 million people and be responsible for safeguarding their right to health, the ministry added.
 
The WHO should act in accordance with its founding principle of health for all and accept Taiwan’s equal and dignified participation in the WHA, the MOFA said, adding that all members of international community must work in partnership to create a seamless global health network. (KWS-E)