Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO) is not just political—it’s a potential blow to global health collaboration.
At a Glance
- Taiwan leaders push for inclusion in the WHO at a California press conference.
- Held at the San Francisco Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
- World Health Assembly set for May 19-27 in Geneva.
- Exclusion due to CCP’s political pressure since 2017.
A Strong Case for Inclusion
At a recent press conference in Northern California, Taiwanese officials and community leaders emphasized the urgent need for Taiwan to be a part of the WHO. This event, held at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Milpitas, showcased Taiwan’s advanced public health system and its proactive approach to health challenges. By being barred, Taiwan’s potential contributions to the global health stage remain untapped, reflecting poorly on the international community’s commitment to comprehensive health security.
While the World Health Assembly (WHA) convenes from May 19 to 27 in Geneva, Taiwan remains sidelined due to political maneuvering led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The official exclusion began in 2017, with the CCP’s influence overshadowing the genuine need for global health inclusivity. Taiwanese leaders argue that WHO’s decision to ignore Taiwan undermines global health collaboration and security.
Beijing’s Overreach and Clarity in Resolutions
At the heart of the matter lies Resolution 2758, passed in 1971, which recognized the People’s Republic of China as the representative of China at the UN. This resolution, however, does not address the subject of Taiwan. Despite this, the Chinese government has misrepresented these documents to justify its stance on Taiwan’s exclusion.
“China has long distorted U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution WHA25.1 on the international stage. Neither resolution mentions Taiwan or states that Taiwan is part of China. Nor do they authorize the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the WHO.” – Jenny Guo.
In 2023, the U.S. Congress introduced the Taiwan International Solidarity Act (H.R.1176), aiming to rectify these misconceptions. The Act clarifies that Resolution 2758 does not cover Taiwan’s sovereignty or representation in the WHO, pointing out yet again the need for clarity when pitching Taiwan’s case. Taiwan’s absence remains a glaring example of political bureaucracy overshadowing genuine health leadership and collaboration.
Health as a Fundamental Human Right
Highlighting Taiwan’s impressive track record, which includes universal health coverage since 1995 with over 99.9% coverage, TECO officials argue that excluding Taiwan is a matter of ignored potential. Systems of such caliber have the world to offer but are instead shelved to satisfy geopolitical games. Sophia Chuang from the Culture Center criticized the WHO for its exclusion of Taiwan, stressing health rights as fundamental and universal.
“Resolution 2758 (XXVI) established the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations. The resolution did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations, nor did the resolution take a position on the relationship between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan or include any statement pertaining to Taiwan’s sovereignty.” – H.R.1176.
The political compromise within the WHO has also sparked actions from the United States. Though the U.S. initiated this withdrawal process citing mishandling of COVID-19, it won’t be effective until a year has passed, offering a window for the U.S. to continue supporting Taiwan’s inclusion in the upcoming WHA. In safeguarding global health, it’s high time the WHO truly listens to these growing voices advocating for Taiwan.
