Incoming Cabinet spokesperson Tung Chen-yuan says that Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) is good for both Taiwanese people and the global health system.
Tung was responding Wednesday to remarks by Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office. Ma said that Taiwan’s attendance as an observer at the annual WHA meeting has been made possible by the “one China” principle. Taiwan’s incoming government has protested that the “one China” principle has nothing to do with its attendance at the WHA meeting. But Ma Xiaoguang said that without the consensus, it will be difficult for Taiwan to attend future meetings.
In his response to these remarks, Tung said that health is a fundamental human right. He said that Taiwan’s participation at the WHA is a matter of Taiwanese people’s right to health. But he said that the world’s health and disease prevention systems also benefit as a result.