The foreign ministry remains hopeful that Taiwan will be able to attend the upcoming assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The assembly opens in Montreal on September 27 and will continue until October 7. Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation to attend as an observer, as it did for the last meeting three years ago.
The head of the foreign ministry’s Department of North American Affairs, Christine Hsueh, said Tuesday that the United States is in favor of Taiwan’s participation.
"On this issue of our involvement in the ICAO, the United States has always maintained this principle, as our participation is in the positive interests of global aviation safety," said Hsueh.
The foreign minister, David Lee, also indicated on Tuesday that the US State Department has been making representations on Taiwan’s behalf behind the scenes.
Taiwan’s participation in UN-affiliated organizations like the ICAO and World Health Organization is largely dependent on goodwill from China. The lack of an invitation has been interpreted as a sign of Beijing’s unwillingness to deal with the new government in Taiwan under President Tsai Ing-wen.