A coalition of 12 Taiwanese-American organizations in Northern California gathered for a press conference at the Taiwanese American Center in San Jose on May 4 to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA).
The purpose of the event was to shed light on Taiwan’s exclusion from the 77th WHA session, set to take place from May 27 to June 1 in Geneva, Switzerland. Despite Taiwan’s effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its global assistance efforts, political pressures, particularly from the Chinese government, have prevented Taiwan from participating in the WHA.
The Chinese government has long asserted its sovereignty over Taiwan, with a declaration in June 2022 claiming full authority over the Taiwan Strait.
In a statement, the 12 organizations expressed, “Viruses know no borders, and excluding Taiwan from the World Health Assembly (WHA) contradicts the principles of the World Health Organization (WHO). It exposes a flaw in WHO governance, is a loss for the world, and is an unjust and unfair action.”
“Taiwan has excelled in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving praise and admiration worldwide. It has set an example for epidemic prevention globally, and Taiwan is ready to share its experiences with other nations,” the statement continued.
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Taiwan’s proximity to China has led to frequent interactions between the two nations. With a population of 23.5 million, Taiwan recorded approximately 8.82 million COVID-19 cases in the first three years of the pandemic from January 2020 to December 2022, with just 15,253 reported deaths during the same period.
The coalition of Taiwanese-American groups was led by key figures in the local Taiwanese community, including Dr. Yeh Chun-Hsiung, chairman of the Taiwanese American Center, and Dr. Lin Jin-tang, president of the Northern California chapter of the North American Taiwanese Medical Association. Their impassioned speeches highlighted Taiwan’s healthcare system, particularly its acclaimed National Health Insurance program.
Zhu Yung-chang, deputy director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in San Francisco, stressed the importance of Taiwan’s presence at the WHA amidst ongoing discussions at the WHO on pandemic response frameworks.
Chuang Ya-shu, director of the TECO’s Cultural Center in Milpitas, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the interconnected nature of global health and Taiwan’s crucial role in it.
Li Hanwen, a member of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (TOCAC), clarified that United Nations Resolution 2758 did not involve other nations’ decisions regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty.
“Resolution 2758 does not hinder Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. system and other international forums,” she stated.
Furthermore, Ms. Li criticized the Chinese Communist Party for misusing Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan from the global system.
Dr. Fu Hongyu highlighted Taiwan’s significant contributions to global healthcare, including the production of essential medical supplies that have benefitted numerous nations.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jia-zhou showcased banners from the San Francisco Bay Area Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, expressing unwavering support for Taiwan’s WHA bid.
The speakers emphasized the importance of not silencing Taiwan’s voice on the global health stage, pledging to continue their efforts until justice prevails.
Li Qinyi contributed to this report.
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