Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the country’s representatives met with U.S. State Department officials on Monday in Washington. The discussion focused on expanding Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
The announcement comes ahead of the World Health Assembly’s planned summit in May. The WHA is the governing body of the World Health Organization. Taiwan participated in WHA proceedings as an observer before being removed in 2017 as the result of Chinese pressure.
Besides the WHA, the discussion also touched upon Taiwan’s participation in other international organizations that currently exclude it, like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
According to the Foreign Ministry, U.S. representatives present at the meeting said that Taiwan can play a key role in global conversations on issues like public health, civilian transportation, and climate change. U.S. officials are also said to have restated the country’s “rock-solid” support for Taiwan and the commitment to work with like-minded countries to back Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry says it will continue its policy of actively expanding its international space through the principle of professionalism, pragmatism, and contribution. It adds that Taiwan’s will to participate actively in international affairs can only get stronger and that “Taiwan is the world’s Taiwan.”