US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has promised to support Taiwan’s bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO). That was the word from the foreign ministry after Health Minister Chen Shih-chung held a 30-minute videoconference meeting with Azar on Monday.
Azar showed much interest in learning from Taiwan and its successful handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. The two health officials also discussed cooperation in developing a vaccine and drugs to treat COVID-19.
Azar said that the US supports Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and that he would work hard to help Taiwan join the WHA. Chen said that he was very touched about Azar's remarks. Chen also mentioned Taiwan would like to participate in technical and other meetings held by the WHO.
The foreign ministry said that US policy has always been to support Taiwan’s participation in the WHA as an observer.
This past week, former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley also launched an online petition urging the US Congress to support Taiwan’s bid to join the WHO. The petition also called for an investigation into whether China covered up the COVID-19 outbreak.