US backs Taiwan’s participation in World Health Organization | Taiwan News

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his full support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday (May 1).

“Time and again, Taiwan has demonstrated a capability and willingness to help address global health crises and support the global health community,” Blinken said in a statement. The US “strongly encourages” WHO to allow Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer, he said.

This year’s WHA begins on May 27.

The state secretary praised Taiwan’s “exceptional capabilities and approaches” and said the country has much to contribute to the WHA. He acknowledged WHO’s efforts to engage with Taiwan but said the country’s exclusion “undermines including global public health cooperation and security, which the world demands – and urgently needs.”

Taiwan’s inclusion would realize WHO’s mission of “Health for All,” Blinken said. He added that America’s support is in adherence with its “one China” policy and the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.

Taiwan participated in the global health decision-making body from 2009 to 2016 as an observer under President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九). It was blocked after Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office due to China’s refusal to continue dialogue with the Democratic Progressive Party.

Taiwan’s representative in Geneva, Nicole Su (蘇瑩君), meth with US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison on Tuesday (April 30) to discuss Taiwan’s international participation. Su said on https://twitter.com/Taipei_GVA/status/1785436535199772817?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet she was “delighted to reunite with an old friend of Taiwan” and that “US support for Taiwan is invaluable.”

She reiterated that Taiwan was “dedicated to contributing to WHO and other international organizations.”

Sison also took to https://twitter.com/State_IO/status/1785292045872951527saying she “discussed Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations” with Su, focusing on the 77th WHA.

This year, Taiwan will Sendai a legislative delegation led by Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) to participate in sideline meetings and advocate for participation in the World Health Organization.