Support for Taiwan during the 77th meeting of the World Health Assembly is sincerely appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 29 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to the countries that spoke up for Taiwan on the second day of the World Health Assembly’s 77th meeting.

Allies that hold membership in the World Health Organization have already called for Taiwan’s participation, the MOFA said. On May 28 Canada, Czechia, Estonia, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg and New Zealand voiced their support through direct mentions of Taiwan, while Israel and Latvia more generally emphasized the importance of total inclusion.

According to the MOFA, Xavier Becerra, U.S. secretary of health and human services, promoted Taiwan’s meaningful involvement in the WHO and WHA, as did his counterparts from Estonia, Lithuania and Luxembourg. New Zealand spoke on the matter for the first time at the WHA, plainly stating that the world would benefit from sharing experience, techniques and knowledge between all countries, including Taiwan.

China’s criticism of the swelling support for Taiwan was firmly rebutted by the U.S., which pointed out China’s misinterpretation of the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 and emphasized that the resolution does not stipulate Taiwan’s exclusion from the U.N. system. Japan also refuted China’s remarks while lauding Taiwan’s successful public health strategies, the ministry added.

Taiwan will continue to work closely with allied countries and like-minded partners, the MOFA said, calling on the WHO to accept Taiwan’s participation as an observer to fulfill the organization’s goal of “Health for all, All for Health.” (POC-E)