The foreign ministry is calling on the WHO to invite Taiwanese experts to events aimed at preventing epidemics.
The WHO has called two meetings to discuss an outbreak of a novel coronavirus centered in China. The outbreak has killed at least 170 and spread to at least 16 other countries, including Taiwan.
On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said that Taiwan’s exclusion from these meetings is regrettable. She said political considerations should not take precedence over the right of Taiwan’s 23 million people to health. Taiwan has so far recorded eight confirmed cases of infection.
Ou said that given Taiwan’s place on the front line against the coronavirus’ spread, Taiwan must be given all information about the outbreak quickly.
In recent days, Taiwan has received support from overseas for its bid to be included in the WHO. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has voiced his support for Taiwan’s participation in WHO meetings as an observer. Trudeau told Canada’s Parliament Wednesday that Taiwan’s participation will benefit global health.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Taiwan shouldn’t be excluded from the WHO due to political factors. Abe said that it is necessary for Taiwan to be part of the global health body.
President Tsai Ing-wen says this support from the international community is a big encouragement for Taiwan. She said the outbreak in China is allowing the world to fully understand Taiwan’s importance in epidemic prevention.