Health minister rejects Chinese conditions for rejoining WHO, rejects one China principle

Even though it seems unlikely that Taiwan will be invited to the annual World Health Assembly to take place next Monday without China''s agreement, health minister Chen Shih-chung still flatly refused to capitulate to a Chinese demand that Taiwan accept Beijing''s "one China principle." Chen on Friday said there was still a slim chance that Taiwan might receive an invitation to the top WHO summit anyway, amid unprecedented support from liberal democracies across the globe. Taiwan also plans to drum up publicity about its exclusion by holding a series of teleconferences with experts around the world.

Undaunted by China''s opposition, Taiwan is still vying for a place at the WHA, which convenes on Monday, May 18. An online press conference held by the Taiwan United Nations Alliance welcomed lawmakers from several political parties, who were united over the issue.

Claire Wang
New Power Party lawmaker
Taiwan has a responsibility in this area, and we are very happy to contribute Taiwan''s experience.

Lai Hsiang-lin
Taiwan People''s Party lawmaker
We contribute our expertise. Taiwan can bring up this subject with the international community.

Huang Hsiu-fang
People''s Power Party lawmaker
Let''s show ourselves to the world, and let''s get Taiwan into the WHO.

Only one party was conspicuous by its absence.

Michael Tsai
Taiwan United Nations Alliance
I personally invited the KMT''s Lin Wei-chou. I gave him the invitation in person. Two days ago he said he would come, but for various reasons he wasn''t able to make it today.

Health minister Chen gave short shrift to China''s foreign ministry, and its recent suggestions that Taiwan can''t join the WHO because of its refusal to acknowledge the "one China" principle.

Chen Shih-chung
Central Epidemic Command Center
I cannot accept something that has never existed. We have not received an invitation to the WHA yet, no. Our exclusion from the WHA is a very difficult issue every year. But participating would have very important health implications, so we will continue to work hard to make it happen until the very last moment.

A series of videos recorded by political figures from the U.S., Japan, and Poland, as well as foreign representatives to Taiwan, expressed support for the cause.

Chen Shih-chung
Central Epidemic Command Center
High walls have been put up in some places. So we must work hard and do our best to get over them. We have been steadily preparing for our conferences outside the WHA, and this time, the foreign ministry has been working hard toward that too.

The foreign ministry has arranged for a series of teleconferences to be held concurrently with the WHA, between Taiwan and representatives from other nations, both diplomatic allies and unofficial allies. They hope the initiative will help plug the global health gap left by the WHO''s disregard.