The annual World Health Assembly convened on Monday but Taiwan was not invited. The US mission to the United Nations in Geneva and US Congressmen are calling for Taiwan's participation in the WHA.
In a video statement to the WHA, US representative to the UN in Geneva Andrew Bremberg said Taiwan should be included in the WHO. He said, "We believe Taiwan's inclusion would benefit the world and the WHO".
He also held up Taiwan as a "role model" in its battle against COVID-19. He said, "And yet, the 23 million people living on Taiwan are excluded from the important work of this body. More importantly, the international community is not allowed to benefit from the expertise offered by Taiwan.”
Bremberg said that the WHO allowed some to politicize public health by not allowing Taiwan’s participation. He urged WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus to invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer. Taiwan had participated as an observer from 2009 to 2016.
Republican Congressman Ted Yoho also expressed similar sentiments on Twitter: "It's not just a matter of deserve. Taiwan's response and contributions to global public health during COVID-19 has proven that Taiwan's participation in global health frameworks like WHA is essential to fighting dangerous disease outbreaks.
Republican Congressman Marco Rubio wrote on Twitter:"As many nations face a second wave of COVID-19, Taiwan set a record for 200 days [without] infections. Beijing's agenda to block Taiwan deprives us all of expertise and threatens global health."
Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Tuesday that China will continue to face more backlash in the international community for obstructing Taiwan's inclusion in the WHA.