Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says Taiwan has won widespread international support for its bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO). Wu was speaking in an interview with Radio France International.
Taiwan has been excluded from the global health body due to pressure from China. But Wu said Taiwan has won support from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. Many European countries have also endorsed Taiwan’s bid and are planning to petition for Taiwan’s inclusion.
The World Health Assembly (WHA) is scheduled to hold its annual session in Geneva on May 18 - 19. This year the session will be held via videoconference due to the pandemic. The WHA is the decision-making body of the WHO. Taiwan wants to join the assembly as an observer, but Wu said the chances are slim due to China’s relentless pressure.
On Tuesday, the foreign ministry said 13 diplomatic allies have put forward a proposal for Taiwan’s inclusion. They include Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, eSwatini, the Marshall Islands, Belize, Haiti, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nauru, Tuvalu, Paraguay, Honduras and Guatemala.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Joanne Ou said Taiwan does not accept the memorandum of understanding that China signed with the WHO in 2005. The MOU, which has not been made public, says Taiwan must have China’s approval if it plans to attend meetings and events organized by the WHA.
Ou said the MOU is not binding and that it jeopardizes Taiwan’s sovereignty, dignity and interests.