President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday that Taiwan’s inclusion in United Nations organizations is a matter of public health. She was speaking with the chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan, Giuseppe Izzo.
The president was talking about the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). She says that both organizations have barred Taiwan from participating on political grounds.
The opposition to Taiwan’s participation comes from the People’s Republic of China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory even though the two sides are ruled separately. The PRC is a member of the United Nations, while Taiwan is not.
President Tsai thanked the European Union for supporting Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHO. She called the outbreak of coronavirus in China a “global matter” that has affected stock markets, travel routes, and global tourism.
Tsai says Taiwan is on the front lines combating the disease, and is both able and willing to contribute to prevention efforts.