US Urges WHO to Allow Taiwan's Attendance at General Assembly... Expecting Worsened Conflict with China

by Keum Boryeong

Published 02 May.2024 20:36(KST)

US-China Conflict Over Taiwan Attendance Since 2017

The United States has strongly urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan to the 77th Annual World Health Assembly (WHA) scheduled for the end of this month.

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 1st (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a press release, “The United States strongly urges the WHO to invite Taiwan as an observer to this year’s WHA so that the world can once again benefit from Taiwan’s expertise and experience.” The WHA is the WHO’s highest decision-making body and will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, starting on the 27th.

The United States and China have been in conflict over Taiwan’s participation since 2017. Taiwan was a founding member of the WHO but lost its UN membership after the United Nations recognized only China as the legitimate government between China and Taiwan. Subsequently, Taiwan was also expelled from the WHO in 1972.

Taiwan attended the WHA as an observer from 2009 to 2016 during a period of improved relations with China, but has been unable to participate since 2017 due to China’s opposition following the inauguration of the Tsai Ing-wen administration.

The United States has repeatedly requested the WHO to invite Taiwan to the assembly, but this has provoked opposition from China, which adheres to the “One China” principle.

In his statement, Secretary Blinken emphasized, “Continuing to exclude Taiwan from the assembly undermines inclusive global public health cooperation and security, which the world urgently needs.”

He added, “Inviting Taiwan to the WHA is a very important step to reaffirm the WHO’s goal of ‘Health for All,’ and supporting this is consistent with our ‘One China’ policy.”