The World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned the One China principle of UN Resolution 2758 on its invitation to Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly. The health ministry replied by saying for the past 8 years, Taiwan has stuck to the 1992 Consensus of “one China, with respective interpretations.”
Incoming health minister Lin Tzou-yien sent another response to the WHO detailing the members of Taiwan’s delegation and the new administration’s stance. He said the health of Taiwan’s people and participation in international organizations should not be limited by political boundaries. He also said the one China principle has nothing to do with participation in the WHA.
Premier Chang San-cheng said many think the new and old administrations were arguing through those separate responses. But that was not the case. He explained why the government had to respond.
"The one China of the UN resolution refers to China. We of course do not recognize that one China means Mainland China. So we had to respond," said Chang. "We wanted to leave a record for history. People can’t say that we silently accept that one China is Mainland China. So it’s understandable that we had to respond. We needed to explain that the two sides had agreed on one China, each side with its own interpretation. Mainland China has agreed to that and that’s why we’ve been able to participate for 7 years."
Premier Chang said the Democratic Progressive Party wants Taiwan to have no political boundaries in joining international organizations. But the status quo does not allow for that. He said Taiwan’s space on the international stage is also influenced by international organizations and China, not just public opinion in Taiwan.