Taiwan Excluded Again from WHA Amid China's Opposition

by Jo Youjin

Published 24 May.2021 15:21(KST)

Photo by Reuters

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Taiwan's participation in the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), was once again blocked due to opposition from China.

According to major foreign media on the 23rd (local time), Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Taiwanese government did not receive an invitation from the WHO and therefore could not attend the 74th WHA. This marks the fifth time since 2017 that Taiwan's participation in the WHA has been blocked.

Taiwan's exclusion from the WHA is due to China's opposition, citing the "One China" principle. The WHO has distanced itself from the issue, stating that it is a matter for member states.

Taiwan participated in the WHA as an observer between 2009 and 2016 when relations with China were good, but since the pro-independence Tsai Ing-wen administration took office, Taiwan has been unable to attend due to China's opposition.

However, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that during the WHA annual meeting period, it will continue to cooperate and exchange with other countries through various means.

The Ministry added that it believes allies and friendly countries will continue to support Taiwan through statements and remarks on social networking services (SNS) and other media.

Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesperson Chui Ching-lin emphasized the day before that Taiwan is actively cooperating with other countries, holding bilateral and multilateral meetings and events, exchanging with officials, scholars, experts, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from various fields, sharing public health experiences, and expanding global health security cooperation.

This WHA annual meeting will be held virtually for nine days from the 24th to the 1st of next month.

Taiwan was a founding member when the WHO was established in 1948 and participated in the WHA as an observer from 2009 to 2016, but has been unable to attend the assembly since due to China's opposition.