A letter signed by Health Minister Chen Shih-chung protesting Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Assembly (WHA) has been delivered to the World Health Organization (WHO). That came from Deputy Health Minister Lee Li-feng, who is leading a delegation in Geneva, Switzerland at the sidelines of this year’s assembly. The WHA is the WHO’s decision-making body.
The 75th World Health Assembly is taking place between May 22 and May 28. Taiwan has been barred from attending the event since 2016 due to pressure from China. Taiwan had attended the meeting as an observer from 2009 to 2016.
On Monday, a proposal to allow Taiwan’s participation in this year’s WHA was rejected. Lee says following the decision, she delivered Chen’s letter protesting Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO.
She says the letter was delivered through a party that wished to remain anonymous, so it’s unlikely it will receive a response. But, Lee said it was important for Taiwan to “make its stance on the matter clear.”
Though Taiwan will not be able to attend the assembly, its delegation in Geneva will still attend sideline events and meet with health officials from other countries.