US Backs Taiwan's WHO Assembly Participation Amid China's Objections

Taiwan said that its participation in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual assembly is uncertain, despite the United States’ support.

What Happened: Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, recently voiced the island’s desire for increased international support for its participation in global organizations, Reuters reported on Thursday. However, China’s objections, based on its claim over Taiwan as its territory, have been a significant hurdle.

Between 2009 and 2016, Taiwan had observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA) under then-President Ma Ying-jeou’s administration. However, China blocked Taiwan’s participation after President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in 2017.

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U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has urged the WHO to reinstate Taiwan’s invitation to the WHA, which is set to begin on May 27, a week after Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te assumes office.

Taiwan, which is allowed to attend some technical WHO meetings, argues that its exclusion hampers its efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Blinken echoed this sentiment, stating that Taiwan’s continued exclusion undermines global public health cooperation and security.

Why It Matters: The tension between Taiwan and China has been escalating, with China increasing diplomatic and military pressure against Taiwan in recent years. Taiwan’s government rejects these claims, asserting that only its 23 million inhabitants can determine their future. Ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te, Taiwan is on high alert for possible Chinese military exercises.

China’s premier anti-spy agency has committed to combating “Taiwan independence” and called for peaceful reunification. This public warning, issued weeks before the inauguration of Taiwanese president-elect William Lai Ching-te, is the second such warning from Beijing's leading anti-spy agency to the island's separatist forces this year. The agency had previously vowed to "strike to curb the ‘Taiwan independence forces” prior to the island's presidential election in January.

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